Briefs

Gulf Coast Zydeco Music and Crawfish Festival

Date: Friday, May 18 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 19 at 9 a.m.

Venue: Daphne Civic Center Complex, 2603 U.S. Hwy 98, 626-5300, www.gulfcoastzydecomusicfestival.com

Tickets: Free admission on May 18 and $15 at the door on May 19 with children under 12 admitted free

The big ESho Fais do-do sounds as spicy as the Creole cuisine to be served. With the Daphne Civic Center Complex in full use, rain won’t stop this party.

This festival will feature the Zydeco Two-Step when Mona “Zydeco Queen” Wilson and the Zydeco Posse give crash dance courses on both days.

The festival begins Friday night with dance lessons and a performance from Lawtell, La. native Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames.

Next is Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers. Jack’s summer visits to his uncle in LeBeau, La., were filled with zydeco lessons.

Rounding out the night will be Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble.

The “Flounder Day” opener is the Zydeco Queen.

Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters are next followed by Same Ol’ 2 Step and their 7-year-old accordionist Guyland Ledet.

Finishing off the festival will be the legendary Thomas “Big Hat” Fields and his Footstompin’ Zydeco Band. It’s safe to say after the festival ends, there will be plenty of sore feet and full bellies.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2007, with doors at 9 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $30 in advance at the door, www.soulkitchenmobile.com, Mellow Mushroom and 1-800-594-TIXX

A George Clinton and P-Funk performance isn’t just a concert; it’s an experience. These psychedelic, costumed disciples of funk hit the stage releasing their funky philosophies and enough eye candy to leave the crowd dumbfounded on exit.

Time has not slowed George Clinton. In 2005, Clinton established his label The C Kunspyruhzy. It was on this label P-Funk released their first studio album in ten years, “How Late Do U Have 2BB4UR Absent?”

This release was followed by several solo efforts from P-Funk All-Stars such as Sativa Diva and Kendra Foster. Foster released “Myriadmorphonicbiocorpomelodicrealityshapeshifter” featuring Clinton on her song “Bounce to This.” In 2006, Foster toured with Sativa and Children of Production under the moniker of “Divadelick.”

Ari Hest w/ The Damnwells

Date: Monday, May 21 with doors at 8 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $10; $12 day of the show

Ari Hest is currently touring in support of his latest album “The Break-In.” This artist recently wowed the audiences at SXSW with cuts of this release. Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello and Crowded House) was recruited to produce this album at Froom’s home studio in Santa Monica, Ca. and provided a raw, no-pressure experience.

The album’s title track is one of the most impressive. The easy going acoustic guitars provide a perfect setting for the unique harmonic vocals found in this song.

Joining Hest on this tour will be Brooklyn indie band The Damnwells, the suybjects of the Best Documentary at the 2007 Phoenix Film Festival.

Missionary position

It’s been awhile since the Port City has heard from Analog Missionary, but don’t think they haven’t been busy. This eclectic, alternative band has a new album in the works consisting of 20 new songs. Several of the new tunes recently appeared at live performances and they have composed many more new songs since entering the studio.

Analog is hoping to release this album before July with hopes of marketing it at the Austin summer session of NAMM in July and also plan on several dates in Texas following NAMM. Pick up the latest issue of “Drum!” magazine, and check out Mark C. in the “New Blood” section.

Artimus piles in

The Mobtown Underground will be spreading its sounds to the Big Apple. Abstract Artimus will travel to New York City for several dates in mid-May. With Sean Engine (Difference Engine) added to the line-up, Abstract Artimus is more furious than ever with their chaotic approach to hip-hop/electronica. Computer-generated beats and primal screams make Abstract Artimus one of the catchiest and most unique groups in the underground. Several new songs (including “Birds of Prey”) have been added to their MySpace site, and they have been signed to the MFD record label out of the U.K. A European tour might even be in the works for the duet.

Pistol comes through in the Clutch

Mobile will be represented at Soul Kitchen on June 12 when Clutch, The Tossers and Year Long Disaster hit the Port City. Keychain Pistol has been scheduled to warm up the crowd in the front room before the crowd is released into the back room for the pure rock fury. Keychain Pistol should have their debut full-length album “Keeps the Shakes Away” available at this show. Year Long Disaster should be a crowd pleaser featuring Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind and The Kinks’ Dave Davies son Daniel in the line-up. Tickets are on sale now at Soul Kitchen, Mellow Mushroom and 1-800-594-TIXX.

Folk chanteuse inbound

Emmylou Harris has been confirmed at the Saenger Theater on September 28. This beautiful Birmingham native is one of the most accomplished female singer-songwriters in country music. She is a Bonnaroo veteran who has performed with Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and many others, earning 5 Grammy awards and was ranked number 5 on CMT’s “Greatest Women in Country Music.” Recently, Harris was featured on a tribute album to Joni Mitchell where she covered “The Magdalene Laundries.” No date has been announced for ticket sales.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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