Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Big Freedia
Big Freedia headlines a Memorial Day weekend show packed with local favorites. Also on the bill are singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Louisiana roots pop band Sweet Crude, and SaxKixAve, the duo of rapper Alfred Banks and Albert Allenback. At 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at Toulouse Theatre. Tickets are $40 via toulousetheatre.com.
Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly
After more than 50 years and nine gold records — including the 1981 album “Live in New Orleans” — singer and Maze frontman Frankie Beverly is retiring after a farewell tour. Maze and Beverly have been favorites in New Orleans for years, and the R&B and funk band have headlined Jazz Fest’s Congo Square Stage numerous times. After the farewell tour, Maze will continue with vocalist Tony Lindsay. Maze Featuring Beverly comes through New Orleans one last time at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Smoothie King Center. Available tickets start at $194 via smoothiekingcenter.com.
Mary Gauthier
Mary Gauthier was an accomplished chef in Boston before becoming sober and focusing on her musical career, and her first album, “Dixie Kitchen,” bore the name of her Cajun-inspired restaurant. The New Orleans native has written songs about being adopted, searching for her birth mother, being queer (“Drag Queens in Limousines” is a fun country tune), dealing with addiction and more. Her Grammy nominated 2018 album “Rifles and Rosary Beads,” was co-written with military veterans. The folk and Americana guitarist and singer is now based out of Nashville. She performs at 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets $30 in advance via chickiewahwah.com, or $37.50 (plus fees) at the door.
Spirit of Louisiana Jazz Funeral and Second Line
The Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. And the Wild Magnolias and TBC Brass Band will participate in a second line at New Orleans City Park’s Festival Grounds to remember and honor those lost to COVID-19, as well as rescue and response workers who assisted in recovery from recent hurricanes affecting the region. People are welcome to join the procession and bring mementos of loved ones. The procession begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Reunion Shelter at 4 Friedrichs Ave. The event is organized by the Krewe of Black and Gold. Visit kreweofblackandgold.com for information.
Chris Isaak
Crooner, 1980s hearthrob and part-time actor Chris Isaak is known for songs like “Somebody’s Crying” and “Wicked Game.” It didn’t hurt his career that some of his songs featured prominently in David Lynch films, or that he had bit parts in movies like “Silence of the Lambs,” but his vocal range carried him from Roy Orbison-esque tones to falsettos. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at House of Blues. Find tickets via houseofblues.com.
Soul Brass Band
Derrick Freeman and Soul Brass Band headline the kickoff to Tipitina’s Free Fridays summer concert series. LeTrainiump also performs. The series runs 15 weeks, from May 24 through Aug. 30. Music starts at 9 p.m. For information, visit tipitinas.com.
Water Seed
The band’s “future funk” is a blend of funk, soul, pop and electronic music, and in recent months, the band has presented its “Journey to Funkstar” show with lighting and other effects inspired by comic books, gaming and more. The band flips on the neon lights for a night of future funk at The Rabbit Hole. At 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Tickets $15 in advance via rabbitholenola.com, or $20 general admission.
Thais Clark birthday bash
Vocalist Thais Clark has sung with traditional jazz bands and is known for her love of the blues as sung by legends like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainy. She was in the original cast of the Vernel Bagneris’ locally created 0ff-Broadway hit “One Mo’ Time.” She celebrates her birthday at Snug Harbor with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Tickets $30 via snugjazz.com.
Foot juggler Helen Wonjila stars in 'Vaudeville Revival' at Joy Theater May 26
LadyBEAST produces the show with modernized circus and vaudeville acts, burlesque performers and more.
Gilliam’s Isle
Interrobang hosts its Camp Interrobang soiree with games, a soaking pool, a camp fire, s’mores, and music from C’est Funk, the Latin grooves of Pescadilla and DJs Kuti, K-Real and more. At 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at 4450 N. Galvez St. Admission $10. Find information at @interrobangnola.
Steele Creek album release
Guitarist and singer Phil Cramer leads the Americana and folk music project Steele Creek. The band releases its latest album, “Towards the Light,” at an afternoon show at Zony Mash Beer Project. Luke Spurr Allen also performs. At 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26. For information, visit zonymashbeer.com.
NOLA Winds Quintet
The NOLA Winds Quintet, featuring clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon and French Horn, performs works by Bizet, Ewazen and Nielsen. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Marigny Opera House. Suggested donation $15. Find information via marignyoperahouse.org.
‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’
In the 1982 documentary, James Baldwin brings Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe on a tour of the South as he revisits landmarks in the Civil Rights Movement to see what has and hasn’t changed. The film also features Amiri Baraka, Sterling Brown, Hoyt Fuller and New Orleans’ Oretha Castle Haley. The 4K restoration of the film screens at 7 p.m. daily at Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge. Visit zeitgeistnola.org for information.
New Orleans Greek Fest brings music, food and more to Hellenic Center May 24-26
Headlining the New Orleans Greek Festival is not like most fests.
Happy Organ Hour
Keyboardist Joe Ashlar can be found on Wednesdays leading a happy hour, funky organ throwdown at the Maple Leaf with a combination of musicians. This week and next, he’ll be joined by drummer Stanton Moore and guitarist Danny Abel. The trio plays next 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. Cover is $20. Find more information at mapleleafbar.com.
Indian Water
Big Chief Gerald Paige of the Great Spirit Warriors leads this band dedicated to preserving Black Masking Indian music. Indian Water will play the balcony at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. The event is free, and it also will be livestreamed at facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum.
Bob Dylan tribute
A host of New Orleans musicians celebrate Bob Dylan’s 83rd birthday with a tribute show at The Broadside. The lineup includes Brian Stoltz, Papa Mali, Susan Cowsill, Johnny Sanson, Layla Musselwhite, Alex McMurray, Billy Iuso and more. Things get started at 8 p.m. Friday, May 24. Tickets are $25 via broadsidenola.com.
New Orleans rock band War Bunnies makes space for growth and getting loud on debut EP
The trio plays a release show on Sunday, May 19.
