seven things to do in seven days
Plan-It-X Records Tour Tue. July 3 | The Bloomington, Ind.based DIY punk label Plan-It-X sends folkpop duo Inky Skulls and singer/songwriter Eric Ayotte to town. Puerto Rico punk rock outfits Anti Sociales and Un Final Fatal, along with New Orleans supergroup All People, are also on the bill. At Hey! Cafe. PAGE 51. Curren$y Wed. July 4 | Local wrapper Curren$y adds to a prolific recent stream of releases Immaculate, his official with The Stoned Immaculate Warner Bros. debut. The release party is at the House of Blues. PAGE 57. Go 4th on the River Wed. July 4 | There’s free live music and fireworks at the Riverfront on Independence Day. The music starts at noon and several downtown attractions offer special deals and entertainment. On the Northshore, The Mandeville Seafood Festival offers music and fireworks in Fontainebleau State Park. PAGE 73.
JULY
Essence Music Festival | Essence brings a stellar lineup of national and local entertainers to the Superdome for a long weekend of late-night concerts. Headliners include Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, D’Angelo, Steve Harvey, Ledisi, Fantasia, Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Kevin Hart, Kirk Franklin and many others. Local performers include Kourtney Heart, Rebirth Brass Band and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. PAGE 49.
Biz Markie Fri. July 6 | As hip-hop’s jealous guy in the ’80s or just one of the Flaming Lips’ heady fwends today, Marcel Theo Hall remains one-hit wonderful. At Essence Fest, he’s everywhere, from headlining a Day Escape party at House of Blues (3 p.m. Fri.) to hosting opening, closing and in-between parties at Metropolitan. PAGE 51. The Essentials Sat. July 7 | Motown in yo’ town? The Essentials are more serious than the average wedding-and-bar-mitzvah cover band, boasting impeccable chops (its 10 members are New Orleans rock vets) and an unimpeachable set list (Foundations and Temptations, sure, but also Smiley Lewis and Nancy Sinatra). At the Circle Bar. PAGE 51.
Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > july 3 > 2012
Butch Hancock Fri. July 6 | Texas troubadour Butch Hancock is a raspy voiced singer/songwriter best known for his early album West Texas Waltzes and Dustblown Tractor Tunes. He’s also a part-time member of the Flatlanders with Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Joe Ely. He plays solo at Chickie Wah Wah. PAGE 51.
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