Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Meridian Brothers
A couple weeks after New Orleans got a huge infusion of Colombian music at Jazz Fest, Bogata’s Meridian Brothers return to the Music Box Village. The Meridian Brothers have released concept albums presented as a retro salsa band collaborating with other groups. Its upcoming release, “Mi Latinoamerica Sufre,” explores guitar in tropical Latin music as well as the influences of Congolese rumba, Afrobeat and African influences on Colombian music. Indie folk singer Thao Nguyen, formerly of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, also performs. At 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Music Box Village. Tickets $30 in advance via musicboxvillage.com.
Slowdive
It took a while for Slowdive to get the recognition it deserves. The English band in the early ’90s was one of the leading groups in shoegaze, but it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that critics started to realize what the indie rock scene once had. By that point, Slowdive had been broken up for a decade. In 2014, though, Slowdive decided to reform to play a festival, which led to an extensive tour and a new album, their first in more than 20 years. The band followed it up last year with its fifth LP, “Everything is Alive,” and is again on tour. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Civic Theatre. Tickets are $40 via civicnola.com.
‘Rooted in Rhythm’
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra closes its 2023-24 regular season with a concert celebration of New Orleans jazz, classical music and music education. The LPO also will collaborate with Preservation Hall Jazz Band for the first time — an example of the orchestra’s recent close work with New Orleans bands and artists. Conducted by Matthew Kraemer and featuring pianist Sean Chen, the program includes George Gershwin’s Cuban-inspired “Rhumba” and his Concerto in F major. The LPO will then be joined by the Pres Hall Jazz Band to play their originals. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets start at $28 via lpomusic.com.
Sean Paul
Dancehall and reggae artist Sean Paul had already hit success in his native Jamaica before finding international fame in the early 2000s with the songs “Get Busy” and “Temperature.” Paul released his eighth studio album, “Scorcha,” in 2022 and received a Grammy nomination for best reggae album. He’s now on a 22-date tour and plays The Fillmore at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17. Tickets start at $25 via fillmorenola.com.
Dusky Waters
New Orleans Americana musician Dusky Waters puts a modern touch to folk, gospel and soul. Waters released her debut album, “Pass It On,” last year and recently played French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest. Catch her next at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Siberia with Chloe Marie and Andrew Jobin & The Crispy Boys. Tickets are $12.40 via siberianola.com.
Bayou Boogaloo brings live music, comedy, burlesque and more to Bayou St. John May 17-19
The line-up includes Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA, Nik West, Afroman, Lez Zeppelin, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners and more.
John Sinclair tribute
John Sinclair was known for his poetry, political activism, hosting a show on WWOZ, his early years working with rock band MC5 and more. He died April 2. “John Sinclair is Free” is a tribute featuring poetry, music and films, and there will be a second line with the Treme Brass Band. Performers include Chuck Perkins, Valentine Pierce, Megan Burns, Dennis Fomento, David Kunian, Carlo Ditto and more. At 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge. Find information atzeitgeistnola.org.
Cyril Neville
New Orleans living funk legend Cyril Neville kicks off a Chickie Wah Wah residency on Sunday, May 19, with two sets following Bayou Boogaloo. The show starts at 9:30 p.m., and he’ll play at 8 p.m. every Sunday following. Tickets are $20 advance via chickiewahwah.com and $25 at the door.
NOCCA Jazz Ensemble
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts’ spring concert with the student jazz ensemble is a chance to catch some of the city’s best young musicians and next great artists. Pianist Michael Pellera, chair of NOCCA’s jazz department, leads the ensemble at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $20 via snugjazz.com.
Brooks & Dunn
For the last decade or so, country duo Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have been on a pseudo-hiatus. The Country Music Hall of Famers will reunite occasionally for one-off shows or a limited string of dates and then lay low for a while. They’re going to be active this year: Brooks & Dunn are now on the “Reboot” tour, named for their 2019 album which found the duo re-recording 12 of their hits, like “Neon Moon” and “My Maria,” with guest musicians. They play at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Smoothie King Center with David Lee Murphy and Ernest. Tickets start at $25 via smoothiekingcenter.com.
Ballet Goes to Broadway
Jefferson Ballet Theatre presents pieces from some of Broadway’s most popular musicals, including “West Side Story,” “Guys and Dolls,” “42nd Street,” “The King and I,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and more. Kenny Beck choreographs the program, which incorporates dance styles from tap to ballet. JPAS presents the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Find tickets at jpas.org.
Johnny Vidacovich Trio
New Orleans master drummer Johnny Vidacovich hosts different musicians each Thursday in May for shows at the Maple Leaf. This week, Vidacovich will be joined by bassist Chris Severin and trumpeter John Michael Bradford at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Tickets are $15 advance at mapleleafbar.com and $20 at the door.
Ms. Pat
Ms. Pat, aka Patrica Williams, has a Netflix comedy special, competed on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and hosts the podcast The Patdown with Ms. Pat. She also starred in her namesake BET+ show, “The Ms. Pat Show,” in which she plays a former convict turned suburban mom. She performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at The Joy Theater. Find tickets via thejoytheater.com.
Intramural Theater premieres comedy 'The Bermuda Can Company' at Music Box Village
The Bermuda Can Company is ready to unveil the world’s first vacuum resealable can — if they can just find the prototype.
