Mardi Gras ends on mixed note

If you weren't among the dozen people who were shot during the last hectic days of Mardi Gras in New Orleans you probably had a pretty good time. Violence has long plagued this city and unfortunately 2009 isn't shaping us as a particularly peaceful year. Nevertheless the party continued unabated and some amazing music went down along with Zulu's 100th anniversary parade and a strong lineup of Mardi Gras Indian sightings. I was really looking forward to the Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra at the Hi Ho Lounge and the event did not disappoint. Kevin O'Day set a powerful pulse on drums and Reggie Scanlan rolled bass lines over three sets as guitarists Papa Mali and Camile Baudoin churned away and Evan Christopher played masterfully on clarinet and soprano saxophone. Sunpie Barnes and an appearance by the Skeletons accounted for the Mardi Gras Indian quotient, and the crowd sang along lustily to "Handa Wanda," "Meet the Boys On the Battlefront," "Big Chief," "Mardi Gras In New Orleans," "Indian Red" and other classics.