Lakeside to Riverside
Shows To See This August
By Staff Music WritersThe Satchmo Club Strut
Friday, August 1
Frenchmen Street
The New Orleans Jazz Centennial Celebration presents the 8th Annual Satchmo Club Strut, a musical club crawl on Frenchmen Street. The “Strut” is a great way to start the Satchmo Fest weekend, celebrating Louis Armstrong and the great music of our city. Wristbands are sold that allow entrance into all of the Frenchmen music venues, which will feature extraordinary jazz performers, and VIP wristbands are also available, which include special balcony parties featuring top performers in an intimate setting, food and beverage from notable New Orleans eateries, and entrance into limited seating venues. This year’s event features Ellis Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, and Charmaine Neville as well as trumpeter Yoshio Toyama, the Louis Armstrong of Japan. The Club Strut serves as both a fundraiser for non-profit jazz outreach programs and a promotional vehicle for the music community’s rebuilding efforts. For more information on purchasing entry wristbands and a complete schedule, visit www.jazzcent.com. –Sheri McKee
New Orleans Unity Jam
August 1-3
Tad Gormley Stadium, City Park
International Reggae Artists will come together for a three-day fest to raise food for the hungry. From August 1st through the 3rd, Tad Gormley will host the New Orleans Unity Jam with the Second Harvest of Greater of New Orleans. The International Reggae Festival features musicians well known to the Reggae world, including Trinity, Carol Gonzalez, and I – Wayne. Each morning, beginning at 10 AM, the stadium will welcome fest-goers to a day of funky music, tasty food, and cool refreshments, in an effort to feed the hungry. Tickets are $17.50, but guests also have the options of buying a three-day pass for $38. To support the cause, make sure you bring a bag of non-perishable items. –Suzanne Pfefferle
White Linen After-Party with Rebirth
Saturday, August 2
The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peter St., 522-WOLF
After strolling along the streets of the Warehouse District (with a drink in your hand), don’t let the party stop just because the galleries are closing; instead head over to The Howlin’ Wolf for their White Linen After-Party featuring Rebirth Brass Band. Rebirth is currently celebrating their 25th anniversary in grand style and rocking it even harder on the brass. Everyone loves this local musical iconic group, and you know it’s going to be a guaranteed off-the-hook party, where you’ll be able to hang out, mingle with new friends, and dance the night away while you’re at The Wolf. Tickets are $10. –Kevin McKee
The 2008 New Orleans Beatles Festival
Saturday, August 2
The House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. 529 - BLUE
Have you ever hoped to hear the Beatles’ hits from somewhere other than your iPod? The House of Blues is excited to announce the return of one swinging party that will give you the chance to listen to the British bands’ songs live and up close. The 2008 New Orleans Beatles Festival happens on August 2, and this year, it’s boasting a lineup that will guarantee you a great time. Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., Beatin’ Path, Chuck Credo IV, Bill Davis of Dash Rip Rock, The Top Cats, and Sal Candilora, are among a few of the artists scheduled to sing at the concert. The concert is a celebration of the 60s’ four favorite mop-haired musicians, The Beatles. –Suzanne Pfefferle
Rock & Rebels Tour featuring Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Rev Run
Friday, August 8
New Orleans Arena
Long-time Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd take the stage with Kid Rock at the New Orleans Arena. Skynyrd crafted famous Southern rock anthems such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Saturday Night Special,” “They Call Me the Breeze,” “Simple Man,” “What’s Your Name,” and “That Smell.” Famous for their Southern rockabilly, bluesy anthems, Skynyrd continues to perform new music as well as their greatest hits. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to overcome obstacles such as numerous lineup changes, fighting between band members, and personal attacks aimed at former band members delivered through the media. After putting differences aside and mourning Ronnie Van Zant’s untimely death, Johnny Van Zant took over vocals and the band began touring again in 1987. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006. New Orleans gets to hear Lynyrd Skynrd once more as they continue their storied and sordid music career. Kid Rock opens for Lynyrd Skynyrd with his version Southern inspired rock and roll. Fans can expect to hear “Bawitdaba,” “Cowboy,” “Devil Without a Cause,” and “Only God Knows Why,” as well as songs from his recent albums. Kid Rock traveled a long road to achieve his tremendous success. Kid Rock ran away from home as a teenager and began his career performing concerts in his home state of Michigan. He finally gained nationwide airplay in 1998 and began touring the country. Kid Rock mixes Southern rock, hip-hop, and blues when he writes songs. –Greg Duhe
Cutting Edge Music Business Conference and Roots Music Gathering
August 14th through 16th
Westin Canal Place, 100 Iberville St.
566-7006
Preformances City Wide
New Orleans is a city with such a rich musical heritage it is fitting that a music business conference be held here, for the sixteenth year in a row. The Cutting Edge Music Business conference covers the business side of the music industry and also provides a trade show, The New Works Showcase and Roots Music Gathering, where musicians will showcase their original works. Taking place at the Westin Canal Place Hotel August 14th through 16th, attendees will have an opportunity to speak to national and local professionals. John Rudolph, CEO of Bug Music Inc, along with John Snyder, a Grammy award winning music producer and Professor of Music Studies at Loyola University, are just a couple of professionals among the many that will be speaking at the conference. As for the musical entertainment, New Orleans own Groovsect, The Good Guys, and Flowtribe will be performing along with many other bands. This is an important happening for anyone interested in music, weather it be the business aspect or just some Q and A revolving around the art, so contact Westin Canal Place for your room today and visit www.cuttingedgemusicbusiness.com for music venues. –Brian Serpas
Staind, Hinder and Theory of a Deadman
Friday, August 15
UNO Lakefront Arena
Staind hits the newly renovated UNO Arena, with its first real rock concert since before Hurricane Katrina, promoting their latest CD release, The Illusion of Progress. This latest CD marks Staind’s sixth album and is the follow-up to 2005’s certified platinum Chapter V. Staind has earned their place as one of the most successful rock bands of the new millennium by debuting at #1 on the Billboard Record Charts for the past three album debuts. Staind has also produced multiple hits worldwide including “So Far Away,” “Mudshovel,” “Fade,” “Outside,” “It’s Been A While,” “Right Here,” and so many more. Hinders Exteme Touring fits right in with Staind and is proving to be a great combination. Hinder’s “Get Stoned” and “Lips of an Angel” has made the Oklahoma group a household name. Get ready to rock out at this incredible show. –Sheri McKee
The City Life and Antenna Inn
Friday, August 15
Republic, 828 South Peters St., 528-8282
Indie-rock is going strong in the Big Easy, and the show to catch this month is at the Republic. Come out and see The City Life, who some call “explosive” and others call “powerful,” all while trying to “make a name for indie-rock in a jazz city.” Join City of Life with nine-member Antenna Inn, and you are sure to rock out to a night of quality music that should be all over the map while full of entertainment. –Rebecca Brych
Tipitina’s Foundation presents “Instruments Have Come”
Saturday, Aug. 16, 6PM
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave. 895-TIPS
The Tipitina’s Foundation is celebrating the annual “Instruments Have Come” event, where a high school battle of the marching bands takes place along with the presentation of all the instruments Tip’s is donating to local schools, a VIP area upstairs, and Rebirth rockin’ it out all night long. Many locals refer to it as “Part II,” the sequel to “Instruments a Comin’.” Believe it or not, things actually get started early at 6 PM out in the streets, and then the party rolls inside and outside all night long. General admission tickets are $10, $30 for a VIP ticket which includes upstairs balcony access with beer, wine, soda, and catered food. This is a not-to-be-missed event at Tip’s, so be sure to get your VIP tickets early! –Sheri McKee
Lil’Doogie’s West Bank Field Trip with special guest celebrities Ballzack and Odoms
Saturday, August 16
House of Blues, 225 Decatur ST. 529-BLUE
Local Indie music scene favorites Ballzack, Odoms, and a puppet named Lil’ Doogie will be taking over the HOB, and nothing is off-limits at this bounce event. After three years, or a brief Hurricane Katrina contraflow detour, Ballzack’s long awaited new release, Yeah Indeed, is thrilling West Bankers and locals alike. With talk of Odoms having a new album in the works, be ready for a lot of new material and a smack-talking puppet that would definitely be evicted from “Da Street.” It’s best to get your tickets early for this one, since the buzz on this show has been spreading like rising water on the Mississippi. –Kevin McKee
A Benefit for the Tipitina’s Foundation
Friday, August 22
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS
Show your support for the Tipitina’s Foundation on August 22, when Ryko presents Tesla. After several successful years, followed by a brief split, the heavy metal band is back, and if their sold-out tours are any indication, they have not missed a beat. But leave your leather pants and big hair at home. Despite misconceptions, Tesla does not categorize themselves as a Glam Metal band. Their music is actually considered hard rock with a tint of the blues, which easily lends them a spot in this Big Easy venue. Along with Tesla, other bands are scheduled to play at the Benefit, which starts at 10 PM. The Last Perfect Thing, Plants and Animals, and The Bittersweets, are also on the lineup. –Suzanne Pfefferle
Billy Iuso and Restless Natives
Friday, August 29
Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS
If you’re the type that likes to tote your pet around in a Paris Hilton-esque fashion, then bring your favorite, four-legged friend to Tipitina’s for a night of furry fun. The Tipitina’s Foundation and Zeus’ Place present Billy Iuso and Restless Natives in a benefit for the Louisiana Humane Society. Iuso and his band, best known for their funky music, will take the stage at 10 PM for this pet-friendly celebration. The Louisiana Humane Society continues to play an integral role in protecting animals throughout the state. For $10, this party for cause is the perfect way for you and your pet to say “Thank you.” –Suzanne Pfefferle