Weekend offerings: A king among fests and a king on stage

26th March 2012   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
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In New Orleans, the music never stops and so much of it is free. The Old Algiers RiverFest is next up in the continually growing list of springtime events. Held across the Mississippi near Mardi Gras World on Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1, RiverFest prides itself on its focus on traditional jazz and other sounds that “came of age along the banks of the river.”

As has become tradition, the Mohawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indian gang headed by Big Chief Tyrone Casby leads folks from the ferry landing to the festival site. The only Indians hailing from the West Bank, the Mohawk Hunters, which start ringing their tambourines at noon, made an impressive showing at this year’s Indian Super Sunday. It was among the largest and singing-est tribes that day and held some surprises like the Queen sporting a Saints’ inspired suit and a crown complete with a football helmet.

The Algiers Brass Band (Sat., 12:45), which as its name suggest hails from across the river, has been performing at the festival since the event’s inception eight years ago. It’s like old home day when the Algiers arrive – everyone knows the members and the members know folks there.

In keeping with the festival’s stated aim, drummer extraordinaire Shannon Powell leads his Traditional All-Stars. The band will boast the same personnel – pianist David Torkanowsky, trombonist Lucien Barbarin, clarinetist Charlie Gabriel, trumpeter Mark Braud and bassist Roland Guerin – that performed at the 2011 Tremé Creole Gumbo loans for bad credit in manchester Festival. That musically rich set, spiked with much hilarity delivered by Powell and Barbarin, earned a spot in this column’s 2011 best shows of the year list. The ensemble also plays at Preservation Hall and Powell makes the Windsor Court home on Friday and Saturday nights.

Modern jazz actually has a strong presence at the RiverFest, a fact that will be appreciated by those who find the style unfortunately lacking at many of the local festivals. (French Quarter Festival only presents a couple of modern jazz artists and none of the area’s community festivals is dedicated specifically to the style or has it fully incorporated into existing events.)

Among the purveyors of the music that grew out of the traditional form who will perform at RiverFest are trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis (Sat., 3 p.m.), trumpeter Irvin Mayfield (Sat., 5 p.m.) — who, incidentally, played with the Algiers Brass Band early on — and vocalist Leah Chase (Sun., 2 p.m.). Sasha Masakowski could also be put in the number though the talented vocalist and daughter of guitarist/educator Steve Masakowski often brings it on with a Latin flair.

Then we come to bassist/vocalist George French who is equally renowned in both the traditional and modern jazz genres. On his Sunday at 1 p.m. appearance at the festival, he’ll do a little of both styles with a group up to the task. It includes his son Gerald French on drums, guitarist Todd Duke, saxophonist Eric Traub and pianist Mike same day loans plymouth Lemmler with special guest vocalist Ellen Smith. Look for George at the Montleleone Hotel in various configurations on Tuesdays throughout April and at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse on Saturday, April 14, when he teams with his longtime friend, vocalist Germaine Bazzle and with a special appearance by saxophonist James Rivers.

On Sunday, which opens with the Palmetto Bug Stompers and includes the Hot 8 Brass Band, the vibe at the RiverFest returns solidly to tradition at the end of the day. Keeper of the Creole flame, guitarist/banjoist Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders holds down the 4 p.m. slot and noted clarinetist Michael White’s Liberty Jazz Band closes out the festival starting at 5 p.m.

A free shuttle from the ferry landing to the RiverFest site will be available. It’s schedule will be timed to the ferry’s arrival and departure and will run every 20 minutes.

‘The Lion King’ Reigns on Stage

Many people are familiar with the tale of The Lion King, know some of the songs, have seen Disney’s 1994 animated film, eyed photographs of the musical and maybe have even had the opportunity to catch some clips of the stage production. Nothing, however, could prepare one for the stunningly visual impact of this spectacular Broadway show running through April 15 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.

Through the use of costumes, dancing, secure fast cash loans athleticism and puppetry, birds really do fly, antelopes leap, giraffes gracefully prance and lions proudly posture. As the grass sways in a breeze on the African plain, the mask of Mufasa, the father of the young cub and central character, Simba, is forgotten. He becomes the king of the jungle.

A sense of surrealism, which was greatly enhanced by the artistic, back-lit, computer-generated scenery, overtook the audience as animals of all sorts ran down the aisle. The majestic Rafiki called out in song —the unforgettable “Circle of Life” —for all to join her in the adventure of the story. It’s an age-old saga of the youth preparing for the responsibilities of adulthood. The first step for Simba was to learn how to roar.

All gangling arms and legs, the young lion stood in great contrast to his powerful and muscular father. The talented actors portraying the pair — Dionne Randolph as Mufasa and Adante Power as Simba — used their bodies and distinctive voices to convey their emotional and family ties.

The many artistic qualities that most cast members were required to draw upon — acting, singing, dancing, puppeteering — was extraordinary. Tying this whole production beautifully together was the unseen orchestra that played to perfection.

“The Lion King” pounces and plays on senses.

For ticket information call (504) 287-0351 or go to the Ticketmaster website.

This article was originally published in the March 26, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper