We got your weekend: When you need a break from the parades

Because sometimes the answer is “get me away from these parades”…

Krewe de Lune’s dance troop, the Star Steppin’ Cosmonaughties, will entertain at their annual Space Ball Friday night.

Friday / It reminds me of a simpler time: Dinosaur geeks, this one is for you. Mardi Gras club Krewe de Lune hosts its annual Carnival Space Ball at the Healing Center (2372 St Claude) from 9 PM – 3 AM. The prehistoric-themed party (“The Lunes Before Time”) will include music by electronic duo PYMP, DJ Rusty Lazer, Jermaine Quiz, and DJ Browtown; a dance performance by KDL’s own Star Steppin’ Cosmonaughties; Nicky Da B; a photo booth; and open bar. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets $25 advance (from a krewe member, at Idle Hands Tattoo Parlour (1815 Magazine Street), Other Bar (5039 Freret Street), and Café Istanbul, (2372 St. Claude Ave.), or $30 at the door.

Friday – Monday / Masquerade: The French Market will hold its annual Carnival mask market in Dutch Alley, at the intersection of Dumaine and Decatur, daily from 10 AM – 6 PM. As visitors peruse offerings from more than a dozen mask artisans from all over the country, local music numbers, such as the Hot 8 Brass Band, Gina Brown, 101 Runners, and more will perform 1 -2 hour sets. You can find the full music and vendor lineup here.

Saturday /Mardi Grub: For Mardi-munchers (which we all should be, since food-less afternoons of Carnival are one way tickets to Hangover Town USA), My House NOLA and Twelve Mile Limit (500 S Telemachus) have found a way to work food trucks into your Carnival festivities. The two co-host an Endymion celebration at the Mid City bar from 2 – 10 PM with music by Sweet Crude and Dirty Bourbon River Show, grub from Frencheeze and La Cocinita, and drink specials. The event is free and open to the public.

Feast on crawfish at the Scorseses Endymion Crawfish Boil.

Saturday / I love fishes because they’re so delicious: One of the benefits of having a late Mardi Gras is that it overlaps with crawfish season. Enjoy some of the first catches of the year at the Scorseses Endymion Crawfish Boil, from 2 PM – 4 AM (if you can make it that long) at Banks Street Bar ( 4401 Banks St.), located a few blocks off the parade route. After the parade, progressive rock band the Scorseses vow to “rock your face off,” with a special appearance by Sista Otis. No cover.

Sunday / I’d like to thank the Academy: At some point in the long weekend, you may need to send yourself on an intermission, away from parades, beads, glitter, booze booze and more booze. Fortunately, as you are probably aware, the Oscars are conveniently wedged in between Saturday and Lundi Gras and provide the perfect opportunity to take a Mardi Gras time-out. However, since it is Carnival, parking yourself in sweats in front of the TV at 6 PM would not only be unpatriotic but, generally, pretty embarrassing.

Instead, head to the Prytania for an Oscars viewing party, co-hosted by New Orleans Film Society, for a live screening, complete with an Oscars-trivia game during commercial breaks (and you’re invited to dress as your favorite character from a nominated film). Prizes from local businesses such as Romney Pilates, La Petite Grocery, Dirty Coast and more will be offered for trivia and costume winners. Tickets are $25 and include popcorn and a soft drink. The event starts at 6 PM.

For Live Music NOLA columnist Shane Colman’s Mardi Gras concert selections, click here.

Chelsea Lee is associate editor at NolaVie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.