Hurricane Katrina Aftermath (and other stuff I find interesting)

This year’s controversial Mardi Gras season has officially begun, and nothing starts the dancing in the streets juices like a second line. Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m., a coalition of 27 Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs will second line together for the first time. The parade is sponsored by the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, and is intended to call attention to the SAPCs and their role in renewing the city and its culture. The second line begins at the Backstreet Cultural Museum (1116 St. Claude Ave.) at 11 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m. uptown at Washington Avenue and S. Saratoga.

This year’s Krewe du Vieux parade wanders the streets of the French Quarter Saturday, Feb. 11, and one of the sub-krewes, the Krewe du Jieux, is having its potluck planning party tonight at 1020 St. Claude Ave. from 6 to 9 p.m. Those interested in knowing more about the Krewe du Jieux and its events can find out more by emailing JieuxKrewe@aol.com.

(this update from offbeat.com)