|
Important Announcements!
1) Hotel Rooms are still available at Hotel Provincial! You must call Margie DIRECTLY though! (see info below)
2) Only
8 spots are available on our on our parade floats! First come, first serve! (see below)
3)
Registration is
OVER 90% full right now! If you are planning to register, please do so as quickly as possible! We WILL sell out this year!
4) People from 30 states (and Canada) are registered now!
|
Pardi-
Gras
2016 Registration is Open!
---------------------------
Dates are: Jan. 14 -17, 2016
Where: The French Quarter, NOLA
Only the first 500 registrants allowed!
Click HERE for info, and to register!
|
Last Chance to Book Hotel Rooms!
Your opportunity to book a room at our overflow hotel (The Hotel Provincial) is running out quickly! Our block is no longer available by normal means. However, if you call 504-581-4995,
and ask for Margie Kaufmann,
you can ask for and receive the Pardi-Gras rate.
|
|
Renn Loren Makes First Appearance
at Pardi-Gras!
----------------------------------------------------------
Though former CBS/SONY recording artist Renn Loren is originally from Hawaii, he has had most of his musical success in Norway. Renn spent most of the 90's and 00's there, performing both with his own band (the Tiki Town Castaways), and many other internationally known artists in that country. His songs have been used in TV documentaries and films such as "Hawaii", "Oslo", and the Brad Pitt / Angelina Jolie film, "Mr & Mrs Smith". Now living in the U.S. again, Renn has been touring extensively throughout the Gulf Coast for the past two years, appearing at many events and venues from Florida to Texas. Pardi-Gras is pleased to welcome Renn to our event for the first time!
|
 |
|
Big Burrito Radio Happy Hour!
---------------------------------------------------------
Marty Kuklinsky (aka "Mad Marty") and Dan Mueller (aka "Captain Awesome") host one of the Midwest's favorite Trop-Rock music shows, called the Big Burrito Happy Hour. They will be broadcasting their show LIVE on Saturday morning from the balcony at the Tropical Isle. They will be interviewing artists appearing at Pardi-Gras, and we'll probably even have a few live performances as well. You are welcome to join Marty and Dan on the balcony for a Bloody Mary or other libation, as the crew sets up the stage below for the Street Party that afternoon!
|
|
Rhythm & Rain Close Out Pardi-Gras!
---------------------------------------------------------
This talented trio hails from Coastal Mississippi, but is a regularly scheduled band at the Tropical Isle- Bourbon Street. Years of performing on Bourbon Street have honed their entertaining skills, playing for tourists from all over the country (and the world!) Naturally, they have quite an arsenal of well-known favorites, as well as a handful of their own crowd-pleasing original tunes. Led by the always upbeat Rain Jaudon, they have all been performing publicly for over 20 years, both with R & R, and other various projects. They're one of OUR favorites, and we're glad they are back with us at Pardi-Gras this year!
|
|
Phin Addicts Make First Appearance!
--------------------------------------------------------------
This Missouri-based band is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Rick Lamb, who also fronts the group. You may remember Rick and lead guitar player Rob Davis from last year's Pardi-Gras. The band has been touring the country for years, under the name Cruize Control, and just recently re-branded under the new name. No matter what they are called, they are a highly entertaining and fun group, with fantastic original material. We look forward to having the entire band this year at Pardi-Gras!
|
|
|
Pirates and Poets Happy Hour!
----------------------------------------------------------------
This is the event formerly known as the "Radio Margaritaville Happy Hour". Greg Dumas and Sheila Chimento reprise their roles as hosts of this fun, interactive show, featuring live performances from several of this year's Pardi-Gras artists. Beachfront Radio will be broadcasting the entire thing on Periscope, so even folks at home can join in the fun. Come one, come all, as we get the party started in a big way! We've got fun things planned for the Pirates and Poets Happy Hour!
|
|
Kelly Brown Returns to Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kelly Brown hails from Dallas, TX., and fronts a popular Trop-Rock band there called the "Bad Monkeys". Kelly and the BM's have been touring Texas since the 90's, making dozens of appearances at Parrot Head events and other corporate shows along the way. If you've ever been to the epic Frisco, TX. tailgate party, you've no doubt seen them there! Kelly is also a talented songwriter, and currently has a solo CD entitled "Coastal Girl" available for purchase. A long time friend of Pardi-Gras, we are pleased to have Kelly Brown back this year to perform!
|
|
Gene Mitchell Returns to Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
A longtime friend of Pardi-Gras, singer/songwriter Gene Mitchell returns to Bourbon Street again this year! Gene is one of the best known Trop-Rock artists around, making original music and touring the country since the mid-90's. Gene started his writing career while a member of the US Navy, drawing on inspiration from his travels abroad. Today, Gene lives on the beach near Panama City, FL., and performs regularly at the Margaritaville Café, and Runaway Island there. That is, when he's not on the road. We're pleased to have Gene back at Pardi-Gras this year!
|
|
Margaritaville Foods Sampling Party...Yum!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Kick off the weekend early, with an outstanding sampling opportunity! Margaritaville Foods provides the food, and The Orleans Grapevine provides the laid back setting for this perfect afternoon. Margaritaville Foods is the division of the company that produces and markets the take home goodies that you find in your local grocery store. They will have several items here for sampling, and it is delicious! We'll also have live music in the courtyard, and in case you were wondering, the bar at the Grapevine WILL be open!
|
|
The Detentions Make First Appearance at P-G!
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Detentions are relatively new to the Trop-Rock scene. The Detentions are school teachers in the Austin, TX area by day, and rock stars by night! Dan Sullivan and Chris Hillier have been making great acoustic music together for over ten years now. Their laid-back, Texas-Americana sound has been picked up by Radio Margaritaville, and you may have heard either "Coast", or "Sunburned" played often on that station. They have recently started touring outside the Austin area, and are very eager to ply their trade in New Orleans for the first time. We are glad to have them at Pardi-Gras!
|
|
|
Pirates & Poets Songwriter's Showcase!
-----------------------------------------------------------
We finish off Pardi-Gras weekend with a very entertaining show we call "Pirates and Poets". It's the classic songwriters-in-the round show, and features three of our favorite songwriters, trading original songs back and forth, and interacting with each other. It's a lot of fun, and VERY spontaneous! The Pirates and Poets showcase is presented every month by Jon Burns, and takes place at T Bone Tom's in Kemah, TX. during the months of March-December, and in Port Aransas, TX. in February. For more information about P&P, visit the website www.piratesandpoets.net
|
|
"Sunny Jim" returns to Pardi-Gras!
------------------------------------------------------------
One of the most recognized names in Trop-Rock music, James "Sunny Jim" White will be performing at Pardi-Gras this year for our "Pirates and Poets" songwriter's showcase. James has been touring and making original music for over 20 years, and has won numerous awards in the Trop-Rock genre. Based in SW Florida, James regularly travels the nation (and beyond) performing in support of his numerous CDs, which contain some of the best known songs in Trop-Rock. Not only is he an extremely talented songwriter, he is also an award-winning guitar player. We are truly proud to have "Sunny Jim" at our event this year!
|
|
Brent Burns Makes 17th P-G Appearance!
------------------------------------------------------------
Brent Burns is a prolific songwriter, and a consummate entertainer. In fact, he has been nominated for (and won) the "Entertainer of the Year" award several years in a row. His witty lyrics are a trademark of his original music, and like James White, his best-known songs are the very foundation of what we call "Trop-Rock" music. Brent is based in Gulf Shores, Alabama, but travels the country (and beyond) promoting and performing his music. We are thrilled to have Brent Burns back for his 17
th
appearance at Pardi-Gras this year!
|
|
Matt Hoggatt Performs at Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Dear Jimmy Buffett". You've heard that song, no doubt? Well Matt Hoggatt is the man behind that song, and parlayed it into a record deal with Mr. Buffett after the song won a contest, and got the attention of Jimmy. But Matt Hoggatt is far more than just that one song. His original music is both very funny, and insightful at the same time. A native (and resident) of Southern Mississippi, Matt has spent the past three years touring in support of his original music, which is distributed by Mailboat Records. We are very pleased to have Matt Hoggatt perform at Pardi-Gras again this year!
|
|
|
Pardi-Gras Welomes Thom Shepherd!
---------------------------------------------------------------
This Austin, TX. resident is one of the most sought after songwriters in both Trop-Rock music, and the Texas music scene. He's prolific, having written over 100 songs that have been recorded by other artists, including smash country music hits "Private Malone", and "Redneck Yacht Club". Most songwriters as successful as T.S. would be content to rest on their laurels, but Thom continues to crank out huge Texas music hits such as "Cheaper to Keep her" (recorded by Kevin Fowler and Mark Chesnutt) and fantastic Trop-Rock hits ("Always Saturday Night"). Pardi-Gras is proud to have Thom Shepherd back again this year!
|
|
30 Spots Available in Pardi-Gras Parade!
--------------------------------------------
Want to Ride an Authentic Mardi Gras float in the Parade? A very limited number of spots
(8, as of Dec. 22) will be available to anyone registered for Pardi-Gras. The cost is $175 per person, and includes your ride aboard a genuine Blaine Kern "Mardi Gras World" float, and all the beads you'll need. Click
HERE
to pay!
First Come, first serve!
|
 |
|
Welcome Jeff & the Camaros to Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
This fun-loving musical act is the brainchild of musician Jeff Brewer. Jeff is a resident of Panama City Beach, and the Camaros are ...well... often heard, but not seen! Appearing recently in several events around the Gulf Coast area, Jeff is both entertaining, and well versed in a wide variety of musical styles. Drawing on 30 years of musical experience, and performing in support of his first CD, please welcome Jeff & the Camaros to Pardi-Gras for the first time!
|
|
Want to Ride on a Pardi-Gras Float?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever dreamed of riding on a Mardi-Gras float down Bourbon Street? Throwing beads to thousands of folks who are standing on the sidewalks? Do you know what Bourbon Street looks like on Friday night between 8-9pm?!!! Well here is your chance! We are selling a limited number of spots (30, to be exact) on floats in our Pardi-Gras Parade. These are authentic Blaine Kern floats. Kern & Associates are the float supplier for most of the city's major parades. These floats have been seen on NCIS New Orleans, The Big Easy, and just about every movie or TV show about New Orleans. We supply everything...you just show up for the float when we tell you, and get ready for a once in a lifetime experience! (that is, unless you want to do it again next year!) Cost of each spot is $175, and includes your beads to throw.
Parade Spots will go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 8.
|
|
Welcome the Trop Rock Junkies!
---------------------------------------------------------------
This talented band from the St. Petersburg, FL. area are making their first appearance ever at Pardi-Gras this year. But make no mistake; they are seasoned veterans of the Trop Rock scene, having performed at festivals from the Mid-West to Key West. Lead man Steve Tolliver recently won the coveted "Songwriter of the Year" Award at the TRMAs in Key West. The TRJs are high-energy, fun-loving guys who will rock the house in New Orleans!
|
|
Pardi-Gras Poker Run!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, 11:30am-1:30pm
Starts at the Tropical Isle / downstairs.
Get your scorecard when you register,
or at 11:30am on Saturday. Scorecards are $10 each.
-50% of entry money goes to our charities
-35% of entry money goes to the 1st place hand
-10% goes to 2nd place
-5% goes to 3rd place
|
|
Introducing Donny Brewer to Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
This Austin, TX. native has hit the Trop-Rock scene in a big way in 2015! And why not? He's a talented singer / songwriter who also happens to be a top-notch lead guitar player. He's been performing in the Central Texas area for a few years now, but 2015 saw him burst onto the scene at MOTM in Key West, where crowds were impressed not only with his guitar playing with other artists, but also his clever and catchy original songs. We're proud to have him at Pardi-Gras for the first time ever!
|
|
Dennis Davis Returns to Pardi-Gras!
--------------------------------------------------------------
A frequent performer at Pardi-Gras, this resident of Houston, TX., is well respected throughout the Trop-Rock world, and the Texas coastal communities for his excellent original songwriting. Dennis has been nominated multiple times for Trop-Rock awards, and has performed from coast to coast in support of his 3 current CDs. Not only is he a great songwriter, but he's a great entertainer too. We're proud to have Dennis Davis back at Pardi-Gras once again!
|
|
Pardi-Gras Pub Crawl on Bourbon Street!
--------------------------------------------------------------
It's back again!
This "event within the event" absolutely captures the spirit of Pardi-Gras. We've been doing this since 1997, when a handful of us started a 4 hour Pub Crawl around the French Quarter. Over the years, we've realized that if we didn't limit it to Bourbon Street, and only two hours, things would definitely get out of hand! Join about 250 of your friends as we descend en massse on a carefully selected cross-section of bars on Bourbon Street. Dress the part...outrageous, ... or come as you are!
|
Bob Karwin back
at
Pardi-Gras
2016!
----------------------------------------------------
"What's My Name?" That is something you'll be asked several times during the Bob Karwin show. This well-traveled entertainer/singer/songwriter from San Diego, CA. is a perfect fit for Bourbon Street on a rowdy Friday afternoon. But don't let the brashness fool you...he's a very talented songwriter who also covers many of your favorite songs. With half a dozen CDs under his belt, he presents a solo show that you do not want to miss!
|
|
Crowning of the King and Queen!
-------------------------------------------------------------
One of our favorite traditions at Pardi-Gras is naming, then crowning a king and queen. The selection for each year's king and queen is kept secret until the night of the crowning, then revealed in a ceremony on Thursday night, at the upstairs of the Tropical Isle. The king and queen selected then preside over all of the weekend's festivities, in their robes and crowns, if they choose! Don't miss the crowning on Thursday night...it's a blast!
|
|
John Reno returns to Pardi-Gras!
------------------------------------------
From Fairhope, Alabama, and making his 18th consecutive Pardi-Gras appearance, Pardi-Gras is excited to have our friend John Reno perform at our event this year! An extremely talented performer, John can go wherever the crowd wants to go, including great Buffett and Trop-Rock covers, Jim Croce tribute covers, and best of all, some of the best original music you've ever heard. He's toured the country extensively for years, and you've seen him at Pardi-Gras as part of a duo, a trio, and in our favorite configuration, as a solo artist this year. You may have heard that John has performed at Pardi-Gras more than any other entertainer...it's true!
|
|
Monte Tolar's Pirate Toast!
We started this tradition back in 2001 (I think) and it holds a lot of emotional significance to many of us. One of the earliest champions of the idea was our good friend, the late Monte Tolar. We decided to name the event after him, and many close friends of Monte's, including Brian Watson, Earl Sanders, Brent Jones, and singer John Reno have continued Monte's tradition. It takes place in the courtyard at arguably one of New Orleans' most spiritual locations, the nearly 300 year old bar "Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shoppe". Come in your pirate gear, and join us!
|
|
Don Middlebrook returns to Pardi-Gras!
-------------------------------------------------
Pardi-Gras 2016 is pleased to announce the return of singer songwriter Don Middlebrook to Pardi-Gras! One of the very first "Trop-Rock" artists to record his own songs, Don Middlebrook has been a popular and respected singer songwriter on the Trop-Rock scene for a very long time. Since the early '90s, Don has been writing, recording and touring in support of some of the best original music in the country. A resident of Michigan, we are lucky and happy to have Don Middlebrook back at Pardi-Gras again!
|
View the entire Schedule of Events
HERE
|
Greetings
from the
French Quarter!
Good morning fellow "Pardi" Animals!
I don't know if you've met me or not, but I am the "Master Gator", and I have been enjoying hosting you and all of my Pardi-Gras (R)
friends in the French Quarter for these past 18 years! Of course my real name is not the Master Gator; it's just a nickname I picked up from working at the various clubs here in the Quarter. Let me say that I once again look forward to having you back in the Quarter with me in January, 2016!
Now I don't actually "organize" the events at Pardi-Gras; you might say that I am more of an "idea" gator. I like to leave the boring details up to my friends Jerry & Mary Diaz, and their Pardi-Gras krewe. I met the Diazs years ago, when I was down on my luck, and living in a storm drain beneath Bourbon Street. But that is ancient history! Today, I own several restaurants on wheels that you may see around the French Quarter on a busy night. Life is good!
So I just wanted to let you know that I will be checking in with you from time to time between now and Jan. 14, 2016, when Pardi-Gras begins.
I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who recently voted in the annual
Trop Rock Awards. We sure do appreciate you nominating us for "Event of the Year" once again!
Visit our website for more info about our event, and be sure to check in with me occasionally. I also make announcements on Facebook, and Twitter. Hey, social media is the way to go now baby!
Per tradition, we roll out a little bit of our schedule at a time, so be sure to get on the Pardi-Gras e-mail list.
Hope to see you all in N'awlins!
- Troy Lafitte (
aka "The Master Gator")
|
|
| "Vampires of the Vieux Carre"
Our Theme for 2016! In case you didn't know, dressing up in costume that fits our theme is a big part of the fun at Pardi-Gras! |
|
