Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Running of the NOLA Bulls
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, the festival based on Pamplona’s annual bull run and Spanish traditions, runs July 12-14 out of Gallier Hall. The highlight is the bull run in the morning on Saturday, July 13. The “bulls” are roller derby team members sporting horns and plastic bats. The run begins at the steps of Gallier Hall and circles Lafayette Square and the Warehouse District. The post-run party features funk-rapper Dinny Skip, pop punk band Neutral Snap and DJ Brice Nice, and James Andrews performs in the VIP lounge. Andrews also performs at the Txupinazo on Friday, July 12, and there will be food from Clesi’s food truck and bars. The weekend concludes with the El Pobre de Mi burlesque brunch on Sunday. Find tickets and information at nolabulls.com.
Brian Posehn
Comedian and noted metal head Brian Posehn got his first break in the mid-'90s as a writer and actor on Bob Odenkirk and David Cross' "Mr. Show." And over the years he's appeared on many TV shows, including “The Sarah Silverman Program” and “The Big Bang Theory,” and numerous films and has been a prolific voice actor. His stand-up comedy tends to take a self-deprecating approach to being a nerd and the things he loves, like metal, Star Wars, comics and horror flicks. He performs stand-up at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at The Howlin' Wolf. General admission tickets are $29.50 via thehowlinwolf.com.
‘Anything Goes’
Cole Porter’s musical about the madcap happenings between gangsters, aristocrats and others aboard the SS American en route from New York to London has been a Broadway hit through several versions and updates. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney has been played by Ethel Merman, Patty LuPone and Sutton Foster among many others. Romantic intrigue abounds as the musical features such hits as “Anything Goes,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “All Through the Night.” Tulane’s Summer Lyric Theatre presents its production at Dixon Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, through Saturday, July 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Tickets $31.50-$56.50 via liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre.
Bastille Day in Faubourg St. John
The French American Chamber of Commerce Gulf Coast and merchants in Faubourg St. John host the block party on the 3100 block of Ponce de Leon Street. There will be music, food, drinks, art and craft vendors and more. At 5-9 p.m. Saturday, July 13.
The play runs at Lupin Theater July 11-21.
Charlie Gras
Charlie Gabriel celebrates his 92nd birthday with an array of musical friends and guests. The longtime saxophonist and clarinetist for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band released his debut album, “89,” in 2022. There are shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, and Sunday, July 14, at Toulouse Theatre. Find tickets at preservationhall.com.
‘Mean Girls, The Musical’
Tina Fey’s cult classic 2004 film “Mean Girls” introduced Cady Heron, a student moving from Africa to an American high school, where she encounters the dominant social clique, the “Plastics.” Fey also adapted the story for the stage, and the musical version has carried on the story. Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts presents the High School Version, complete with an energetic young cast. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, through Saturday, July 13, with matinees at 1 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, and the run continues July 17-21. Tickets $39-$53 via rivertowntheaters.com.
Thomas Dolby and Tom Bailey
The two Toms tour is a throwback of 1980s nostalgia. During the New Wave craze, Thomas Dolby had an outsized hit with “She Blinded Me with Science,” and repeatedly flirted with titles referencing technology, like “The Golden Age of Wireless.” But his synthesizer work was not gimmicky, and he later founded a software company that focused on electronic age audio. He contributed some work to the pop and new wave group Thompson Twins, whose Tom Bailey shares this tour. At 8 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Fillmore. Find tickets via fillmorenola.com.
Erica Falls
Vocalist Erica Falls focuses on vintage soul and funk on her latest album, “Emotions.” She performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Maple Leaf Bar. Tickets $15 in advance via mapleleafbar.com, $20 at he door.
Matchess
As Matchess, Whitney Johnson crafts ambient soundscapes, almost like a white noise meditation practice, as evidenced on the 2022 release “Sonescent.” Matchess is on tour with different lineups of collaborators, and is joined by Jenny Pulse for her show in New Orleans. Pulse has pursued her own singing and electronic music experiments and released music with the bands Joan of Arc and Cap’n Jazz. MJ Guider and Supplicate also perform. At 9 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Siberia. Tickets $18.61 (including fees) via siberianola.com.
Bastille Day Fete
The Alliance Francaise de la Nouvelle-Orleans hosts a Bastille Day celebration with music by Pardon My French, a silent disco, a costume contest, kids games, food and drinks. From 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 12, at 1519 Jackson Ave. Tickets are $10 general admission in advance, $5 for Alliance members or $15 at the door. Find tickets and information at af-neworleans.org.
Bonerama
The trombone-fronted rock and brass band throws down in one of its only local shows this summer. They’re joined by guitarist Alex McMurray at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets $24.91 via chickiewahwah.com.
New Orleans Beatles Fest
On the 60th anniversary of the release of the “A Hard Day’s Night” film, Newspaper Taxi, a Beatles tribute band, performs the music from the album, including “And I Love Her,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and more. At 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $30-$75 via jeffersonpac.com.
Kristin Diable has had a lot of time to reflect since she last put out an album in 2016.
Elizabeth Williams told us about the museum's 20th anniversary and the recipes included in a new cookbook.