Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
The Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s free music festival moves to an afternoon and early evening slot at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. Performers include Corey Ledet & Black Magic, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band, T Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers, Waylon Thibodeaux, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, T’Monde and more. Music is at 3-8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1. Visit jazzandheritage.org for details.
Chaparelle
On its recently released debut album, “Western Pleasures,” Austin, Texas’ Chaparelle hones its take on classic and new country music, from channeling Patsy Cline to some honky tonking and rocking anthems like “Playing Diamonds Cashing Checks.” The core of the band is guitarist Jesse Woods and vocalist Zella Day, who previously released several indie pop albums. Rounding out the band is Beau Bedford, who also is a member of the Texas Gentlemen, who perform with Ryan Bingham on Wednesday at The Fillmore. Chaparelle performs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Columns. Tickets $25 via chaparellemusic.com.
Jeffery Broussard & The Nighttime Syndicate
Accordionist and vocalist Jeffery Broussard has been a zydeco staple around Acadiana for decades. With his band The Nighttime Syndicate, though, Broussard rolls New Orleans R&B and funk into the mix with the help of a horn trio made up of players from TBC Brass Band. Broussard & The Nighttime Syndicate released their first full-length album, “Bayou Moonlight,” last week and celebrate with a show Saturday, May 31, at BJ’s Lounge. Dusky Waters will open at 8 p.m. Find more on Instagram: @nighttime_syndicate.
Reverend Horton Heat
Dallas, Texas’ James C. Heath has been evangelizing rockabilly and psychobilly for nearly four decades, and he’s still singing, “Please Don’t Take the Baby to the Liquor Store.” In 2023, the band released “Roots of the Rev. Volume 1,” an album of covers of songs by artists that influenced them. Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas open at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Tipitina’s. Tickets $34.41 via tipitinas.com.
LGBTLOL has become the nation’s biggest queer comedy festival.
Zony Mash Farewell
After five years in the historic GEM Theater building on S. Broad Street, Zony Mash Beer Project is saying goodbye. The brewery wraps things up with a party on Sunday, June 1. There will be crawfish for sale starting at noon, and Southerns Food Truck pulls up at 4 p.m. Final Draft Trivia will host screenings of “Beavis & Butthead,” “Office Space” and “Idiocracy” across the afternoon, and there will be trivia starting at 6 p.m. DJ Rapid will play music until close. Find more info at zonymashbeer.com.
Coworkers
Eccentric New Orleans post-punk band Coworkers have a new album and headline a release show at 8 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Okay Bar. The bill also includes Wild at Heart, Sharks’ Teeth and URQ and the Dismal Villagers. Cover is $10. Find more info on Instagram: @coworkers_nola.
Komenka Spring Concert
Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble presents its spring concert with folk dances from China, India, Mexico, Turkey, Italy and more, plus music from Brazil, Polynesia, Canadian cowboy country and more. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Roussel Hall at Loyola University New Orleans. Tickets $8-$13 in advance via tickettailor.com/events/komenka, or $10-$15 at the door. Visit komenka.com for details.
Vocalist Samara Joy released her third full-length album 'Portrait' in October.
Happy Organ Hour
Recently, New Orleans keys player Joe Ashlar has been hosting weekly — or mostly weekly — happy hour shows at the Maple Leaf with other great New Orleans players. Ashlar, on organ, has been joined in May by drummer Stanton Moore, and the Wednesday, May 28, show will feature saxophonist Brad Walker. Music runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and admission is $20 via mapleleafbar.com or $25 at the door.
Lamont Landers
Lamont Landers grew up in Alabama and loved classic soul and R&B. A video of him covering Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack” went viral and elevated his career, including getting on season 14 of “America’s Got Talent.” He released a self-titled EP in 2018. He performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets $26.96 via chickiewahwah.com.
‘Verismo’
Ukrainian-born tenor Bogdan Mynka presents of night of verismo opera at the Marigny Opera House. The Italian verismo movement featured artists portraying the lives and struggles of real people. This show features pieces from composers including Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni and Leoncavallo with dance by Edward Spots and Adrienne Simmons and light projections by Monica Rose Kelly. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 29. Suggested donation $25. Find details on eventbrite.com or marignyoperahouse.org.
Circus arts performer LadyBEAST created Vaudeville Revival to showcase circus arts in a theater space.
Hotel Burgundy
New Orleans indie punk band Hotel Burgundy release a new single and kick-off a June tour on Friday, May 30, at Gasa Gasa. Keaton Schiller and Gold Connections also perform. Music starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $13.63 via gasagasanola.com.
The SoapGirls
Sisters Camille and Noemie Debray lead this band mixing loud alt-rock and pop-punk. The South Africa-based group is on a U.S. tour and plays New Orleans at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at No Dice. New Orleans band Swinging Astrid opens. Tickets are $22.34 via dice.fm.
Don’t Dance Don’t Come
Online, Pleasure Savior rounds-up and promotes dance events and DJ nights around New Orleans. They also have been increasingly hosting their own events with locally based performers. Pleasure Savior next presents Don’t Dance Don’t Come at 10 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Saturn Bar with electronic project IFE, DJ and producer Zevi and DJ Softserve. Tickets are $12.47 advance via dice.fm.
Dreamverse: New Orleans
Dreamverse is a filmed evening of intimate musical shows. There are stripped-down performances by Acadiana fiddler and accordionist Cedric Watson, singer Alicia Renee and Americana singer-songwriter Shine Delphi. There’s also a tasting menu by chef David Barbeau (see page 26). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at a location in Central City. Tickets $25 via eventbrite.com.
Gambit previews the New Orleans events coming up in summer 2025.