Lakeside To Riverside
Shows to catch around town
By staff writersSymphony Chorus of New Orleans
Thursday, June 26 6PM
City Park Botanical Garden, 1 Palm Dr.
The Chamber Chorus of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans will perform as part of the “Thursdays at Twilight” Garden Concert Series at the City Park Botanical Garden’s Pavilion of the Two Sisters. The Symphony Chorus of N.O. is a volunteer group that serves as the principal chorus of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. As if this setting event needed additional enticement, mint juleps, wine, beer, soft drinks, and food will be served! –Craig Cortello
Brothers Unconnected
Monday, June 30 10PM
One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. 569-8361 Make your way to One-Eyed Jacks for “The Brothers Unconnected” show, an eclectic combination of music and comedy. The live performance, presented by Alan and Richard Bishop, is a tribute to the Sun City Girls and Charles Gocher. When Drummer Charles Gocher died of cancer in early 2007, the Bishop brothers made it their mission to honor his life and talent. As a result of this tragedy, the Sun City Girls no longer exist, so the tour also pays tribute to them. The show will open with a forty minute film of Gocher’s work, called The Handsome Stranger. After the video, Alan and Rick will play two acoustic sets of songs originally created by the Sun City Girls. Several of the tracks included in the playlist were in fact written by Charles. Whether you are unfamiliar with the group or a fan, it will be an entertaining act. Additionally, it’s an exclusive chance to buy one of their “tour only” releases, which include a new, live Sun City Girls limited edition vinyl LP and a special “The Brothers Unconnected” tour CD. An array of other items will also be available. –Suzanne Pfefferle
Shamarr Allen’s Birthday Bash feat. Rebirth
Brass Band, Hot 8, Irvin Mayfield, & Kermit
Ruffins
Friday, July 4, 10PM
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS
Celebrate the 4th of July and Shamarr Allen’s Birthday with a funky bash only Tipitina’s can handle. This party is not to be missed, and you know special musical guests will be stopping by to play a few notes for Allen. After you’ve had your fill of eats, fireworks, and Essence Fest, come get down where the locals go and work it off to some of the funkiest grooves this side of the river. –Kevin McKee
Peter Murphy with Ali Eskandarian
Wednesday, July 9, 8PM
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
The Godfather of Goth, Peter Murphy, will be entertaining his brethren at the House of Blues on July 9. As the frontrunner of the goth-rock movement, Murphy has inspired legions of punks, alt-new wavers, and emo rockers. His deep, rich voice and poignant, moody lyrics have given him a cult following and legend status. This former lead singer of the mighty Bauhaus will be touring with the fantastic Iranian-American, Ali Eskandarian. Ali has a throwback voice combining the likes of Jeff Buckley, Willie Nelson, and Bob Dylan. His debut album, Nothing to Say, is available on Amazon. This will certainly be one of those shows that you’ll be glad you went!
–Katie Tape
Sister Hazel feat. Benjy Davis Project
Friday, July 11
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
Sister Hazel, the Gainesville, Florida five-piece band with Ken Block (vocals, acoustic guitar), Drew Copeland (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Newell (lead guitar), Jett Beres (bass), and Mark Trojanowski (drums), are currently touring their live acoustic album, Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic. The record features sixteen tracks including the band’s hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format, which should sound incredible at the HOB. The platinum-selling band has sold over two million albums in their 17-plus-year career, co-founded the Rock Boat (www.therockboat.com), the world’s largest floating music festival, with Sixthman in 2001, and established the charity, Lyrics for Life, which benefits children with cancer, that same year. Local favorites from Baton Rouge, the Benjy Davis Project, will open for Sister Hazel making for a great evening full of easy rock. –Kevin McKee
Sunpie Barnes and Louisiana Sunspots
The Republic, 828 S. Peters St. 733-1733
Friday, July 18, 7-10PM
A.S.I. A Shared Initiative Inc.’s Clifford N. Rosenthal Community Center Facility will be hosting a fundraising event for their $600,000 project in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The event will feature music from the Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, as well as playing host to a silent auction. Look for a fun night while supporting a community that is working hard to come back. ASI is committed to rehabilitation and revitalization of New Orleans, so come out and support their efforts. –Rebecca Brych
Bryan Adams
Wednesday, July 23
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
No, it’s not the “Summer of ’69,” but the famous Canadian singer that made that hit along with many others from the 80’s will be playing the HOB for a very special solo performance. Adam’s latest CD, 11 arrives nearly three decades after Adams’ self-titled 1980 debut and four years after his last studio release, 2004’s Room Service. In between those two discs, the Canadian-born, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide, garnered twenty-one Top-Ten hits, earned nominations for three Academy Awards and five Golden Globes, received eighteen Juno Awards, an American Music Award, and five ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards for Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture (his music has appeared on more than forty movie soundtracks). Adams is not only an incredible singer, but recently his photography was acknowledged by the Clinton campaign since they were using one of his Hillary photos on material. Get your tickets early, as this will definitely be a sold out show! –Kevin McKee
Gravy
Friday, July 25th
Le Bon Temps Roule, 4801 Magazine St.,
New Orleans has its share of blues and funk bands, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for upcoming talent to keep things fresh here in town and in our neighboring Gulf States. Debuting their new album Said and Done is the rock-funk quartet Gravy, which features Ian Stahl on organ and keyboard, Steve Kelly on guitar, Mark Lighthser on drums, and Marcus Burrell on bass. The band formed in 2003, and they’ve had ample time to hone their skills. Each musician weaves in and out of one-anothers’ solos, only to regroup in time for a solid rhythm that backs up Ian Stahls’ southern, blues-style vocal melodies. The band will end their southern tour this month at Le Bon Temps Roule, a show all music lovers should attend. –Brian Serpas