“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” is a traditional New Orleans expression that roughly translates to “Let’s get drunk on a weekday!” Go out and raise a glass to Thomas Jefferson for totally fleecing Napoleon in the Louisiana Purchase, even if we had to take all those flyover states whose only contributions to American culture are meth and high-fructose corn syrup.
| 1. | Monday, March 3 – Sophie Calle: Last Seen |
It’s your last chance to see the Gardner Museum’s exhibition inspired by the empty frames that once held the Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings stolen from the museum in 1990. Calle’s compilation of photographs and interviews with museum staff from shortly after the thefts creates a visual meditation on absence and memory. I’d like to think at least one of the staff members confessed that every time he looks at the empty frames, he hears Carole King’s “So Far Away” playing softly in the distance. (11 a.m., $5-15, all ages)
| 2. | Tuesday, March 4 – “Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton” |
The Brattle’s screening of the documentary on avant-garde hip hop label Stones Throw Records features a Q&A with label founder Peanut Butter Wolf. Have you ever seen what happens when you give peanut butter to a wolf? It’s so cute! Then you seek immediate medical attention because a wolf just bit your hand off. (8 p.m., $12, all ages)
| 3. | Tuesday, March 4 – Mardi Gras at South Street Diner |
That’s enough art and culture for the week — time to gorge yourself on Cajun crawdad jambalaya gumbo po-boys! South Street Diner’s all-day all-you-can-eat buffet is only $5 and features Café du Monde-inspired beignets, little fried bits of heaven covered with powdered sugar and drool and I’m sorry for drooling all over the beignets again. (11 a.m., $5, all ages)
| 4. | Tuesday, March 4 – The Teaseday Club: Mardi Tease |
The Davis Square Theatre’s monthly burlesque show celebrates Fat Tuesday with perfectly-proportioned-but-even-if-they-weren’t-that’s-OK-because-all-bodies-are-beautiful performers. Leave your beads at home, because these girls are taking it off for nothing! Or, more accurately, for money. (7:30 p.m., $20, all ages)
| 5. | Tuesday, March 4 – Le Mardi Gras at the Beehive |
The South End restaurant pairs Cajun-inspired dinner specials with live music from the BT Funk New Orleans 2nd Line Brass Band. “BT” are the bandleader Brian Thomas’ initials but could easily stand for “bring the” because the funk will be brought, oh yes it will. (8 p.m., FREE, 21+)
| 6. | Tuesday, March 4 – Carnival de Brazil |
Another French lesson for you: The accent over the “o” in Harvard Square’s Beat Hôtel is known as “the one that looks like a little hat” to people who did not study very hard in French class, such as me. Samba your way through the restaurant’s Carnival party with a Capirinha in hand, and enjoy a Brazilian-inspired menu from chef and “Chopped” champion Rebecca Newell. (8 p.m., FREE, 21+)
| 7. | Tuesday, March 4 – Free Pancake Day |
Wait in a long line for a short stack of free pancakes at IHOP and, I don’t know, sprinkle some Cajun seasoning on them. Do a shot of maple sizzurp and go wild. Locations in Harvard Square, Brighton, Quincy and Revere. (6 a.m., FREE, all ages)
| 8. | Wednesday, March 5 – Judith Jamison |
The legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre performer and artistic director gives a talk at Lesley University. Hopefully a very quiet talk because you’re so hungover you can actually feel sounds. (7 p.m., FREE, all ages)
[Photo credit: lalawren/Creative Commons]
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