Southern jazz, samba dancers and Louisiana fare - K' Road is bringing a taste of the colour and culture of New Orleans' famous annual Mardi Gras and Jazz Festival to First Thursdays from 6-9pm on 4 December 2014.
The rich musical and cultural history of Louisiana's most famous city is the inspiration behind K' Road's popular nighttime event being held next month, says curator Rose Jackson.
'New Orleans is the starting point where so much amazing jazz, blues and blue grass developed. It's a real musical melting pot. I guess I love it too for the food and the visual spectacle and the rising from adversity as well,' she says referring to the devastation the area suffered at the hands of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 'But, despite the problems they've had, they still know how to throw a good party'
Hoping to emulate the strength of spirit the New Orleans community has shown since 2005 in its determination to still celebrate the things which bring it together, around 25 K' Road businesses will be spicing up their menus, laying on live jazz and inviting locals and visitors to raise their Hurricane Cocktail-filled glasses at First Thursdays: New Orleans-Style to celebrate the cohesion of their own K' Road community.
A programme of events which stretches the length of the strip is planned with highlights including samba dancers Brazilian Divas at Ironbank, gypsy jazz band Twisting the Swing and the Pineapple Production dancers in St Kevin's Arcade.