The denizens of the Port City spend over a month filling the streets of downtown Mobile as masked mystics shower us with a seemingly endless supply of shiny beads, tasty marshmallow treats and dirty stuffed animals. And sandwiched between dragons and paddy wagons, high school and trailer bands provide the soundtracks for these Royal to Broad Street crusades. But after the last note of “Mustang Sally” is sung and the last boom has, well, boomed, many of you will be looking for some late night haunts to catch some tunes. And fortunately, there are more than enough venues ready and willing to fulfill your musical desires with a variety of quality entertainment.

If you can’t take the cold, get into the Kitchen
Soul Kitchen (219 Dauphin St.) is declaring musical domination on the Mardi Gras season with a slough of great acts starting on Thurs., Feb. 11, with The Rez and The Park Band. Hailing from the E Sho, The Rez has developed a following with music they claim “defies the boundaries of one-word genres and non-descript labels.” This group concocts musical libations with ingredients that include rock, reggae, soul and funk. Many have had the chance to experience The Rez at last summer’s Deep South Music Fest.

On Fri., Feb. 12, revelers will get a chance to rock out after the Crewe of Columbus parade with a couple of local favorites. When Top of the Orange began, their sound reflected the neo-Southern rock that was made popular by groups such as 3 Doors Down. Over the years, this band’s sound has evolved (along with its line-up) with mainstream sounds with an alt. rock attitude as its end result. Phar Fletcher will be joining Top of the Orange with a set of original rock and impressive covers. With each band boasting healthy followings, this should be quite a party.

On Joe Cain Day, the Yonder Mountain String Band will return to Soul Kitchen. Their urban bluegrass sound made quite an impression on the locals last time they came to town, and their fans can expect cuts off of their latest release “The Show.” With their 2006 self-titled release, they sought to combine other musical genres into their bluegrass sounds. Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals) told Lagniappe that this attitude has carried over into “The Show.”

“The birth of bluegrass music involved the integration of the popular music of the day: the blues, country, mountain fiddle music,” Kaufmann said. “In our case, we feel the need to continue our effort to do exactly the same thing, with our own unique influences.

And those influences are those of the popular music of our time and our deep connection with the music and heritage of the bluegrass sound and instrumentation.” Another appealing aspect of this band is that each live performance is different and impressive with tons of improvisation.

After the Infant Mystics parade on Mon., Feb. 15, Soul Kitchen will feature more homegrown sounds courtesy of Rollin’ in the Hay. Since 1994, Hay has attracted listeners of all ages with their “good-timing, wacky grass.” Those in attendance can expect bluegrass music that can range from traditional to off-beat as well as hayseed versions of music from bands ranging from Widespread Panic to Eric Clapton. This Lundi Gras celebration should be a fitting warm-up for Fat Tuesday.

Thinking inside the Box
Alabama Music Box (455 Dauphin St.) will be carrying on a Joe Cain Day tradition that began when Cell Block was the underground music epicenter in Mobile.

Soul Clap will provide record-scratching dance mixes, and Turbo Fruits is planning on hitting the audience with a set of psychedelic garage sounds.

However, the Pine Hill Haints will be the highlight of this epic celebration. This band has found popularity with its self-professed “ghost music.” The Haints incorporates elements of rock, Celtic, rockabilly, gospel and many other music genres into their memorable performances. This show is definitely for those in need of a hellacious hootenanny.

Nobody puts Baby in The Corner (Bar)
In its short existence, The Corner Bar (566 Dauphin St.) has become a popular yet intimate haven for Port City jam-junkies. For the Mardi Gras season, Gravy will be doing a two-night stint at this venue after the Crewe of Columbus parade on Fri., Feb. 12 and after the Mystics of Time parade on Sat., Feb. 13. This three-piece is no stranger to Mobile, and their audience can expect some cuts off of their 2008 release “Said and Done.” Their sound can portray elements of Southern Rock as well as blues and jazz. Gravy should be the perfect way to groove into ones Mardi Gras weekend with two chances to experience their sound.

East Bank Serenades
Mobile is not the only place in the area that will be celebrating the Gras. Several venues on the E-Sho are also gearing up for revelers seeking quality sounds and good times. After both the Mystics of Time parade their dragons through the streets of downtown Mobile and the Shadow Barons hit the streets of Daphne on Sat., Feb. 13, stop by Moe’s BBQ & Blues Revue (6423 Bayfront Dr. in Daphne) for RC & the Moonpies. Local guitar icon Ricky Chancey heads this local favorite. For those not familiar with Chancey, he has toured nationally as Hank Williams Jr.’s guitarist and sits in quite often with Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie). With the Moonpies, Chancey gets back to his roots with a swamp pop sound riddled with country and blues.

For those looking to avoid Joe Cain Day in Downtown Mobile, the Riff-Raff at Pirate’s Cove in Josephine (6664 County Rd 95) will be holding their Royal Disorder of Riff-Raff Parade and Ball on Sun., Feb. 14. The parade will kick things off at 3 p.m. followed by the RDRR’s ball. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Asheville’s own Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band. This band’s infectious, high-energy brand of funk should be perfect for the event. Those who choose to attend this ball better buy a back-up pair of dancing shoes, because Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band will definitely wear out their current ones.

The climax of Mardi Gras on the E Sho will come courtesy of LuLu Buffett. On Fat Tuesday, the good times will flow instead of roll at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores (200 E. 25th Ave.) with their annual Mardi Gras Boat Parade. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at Hwy 59 at the bottom of the Intercoastal Canal Bridge and end at the main beach in Gulf Shores. Afterwards, LuLu’s will give its crowd a true taste of New Orleans Mardi Gras sounds with the Glen David Andrews Band. This jazz outfit will overcome the crowd with their passionate brass sounds. Local favorite Greg Brown will round out the day’s festivities with a set of Trop Rock.

Stock up on plenty of Goody’s Powder, Alka Seltzer and ear plugs (for those with sensitive ears), because it is shaping up to be quite an eventful Mardi Gras. With so many venues featuring so many different types of music, this year’s festivities allow local music lovers to experience as many sounds as they wish until Ash Wednesday once again brings calm to the Port City.