Laissez les bons temps rouler! Downtown Jazzed Up coming soon to Brookhaven
Published 7:50 am Saturday, February 4, 2023
- Photo by Donna Campbell A jazz band leads the second line parade through downtown Brookhaven in the first Downtown Jazzed Up event in 2017.
BROOKHAVEN — Nola Dukes Band will take center stage when Visit Brookhaven hosts Downtown Jazzed Up on February 11. Visit Brookhaven announced the Nola Dukes are set to perform from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the event.
Nola Duke’s website says they play high energy live music for weddings and events. They have members from Jackson, Baton Rouge and New Orleans and around the world. Famous artists or bands they have played with include Temptations, Michael Buble, Sturgill Simpson and Stevie Wonder.
Downtown Jazzed Up celebrates the Mardi Gras season in Brookhaven first with bounce houses, face painting, restaurant specials and more starting at 4 p.m. February 11. At 6 p.m., a second line parade with golf carts, bikes and walkers will start before Nola Duke’s takes over the scene.
It will be the sixth annual Downtown Jazzed Up Mardi Gras event. Jillian Ricceri, Tourism Director for Brookhaven’s Tourism Council, has worked hard to get things planned for the big celebration.
“Over the years this has been a huge success and it continues to grow each year,” Ricceri said. “We are excited to have a big Mardi Gras event right here in Brookhaven.”
Participating businesses include Magnolia Blues who will offer a Mardi Gras brunch with live music from 10 a.m. to 1p.m., Team Title will have king cake and beads. Tom Smith Land and Homes will have free jambalaya, Betty’s Eat Shop will open early at 4 p.m. with a special mardi gras themed menu and a free mardi gras cup with a purchase of a meal.
Janie’s Pastry will be open until 7 p.m. with mardi gras beads, king cake, cookies, donuts and chicken on a stick. Downtown Shoes will stay open until 6 p.m. Tortilla Soup will offer a two for one small patron margaritas on the rocks from 4 to 9 p.m.
Brookhaven High School band will lead a second line parade down Cherokee, take a right on Whitworth Avenue and end in front of the railroad park stage. After the parade, Nola Dukes will take the stage until 9 p.m.
Downtown Jazzed Up Schedule
- 4-6 p.m., bouncy houses, exchange club train, face painting and downtown business specials
- 6 p.m., line up in front of the post office for the second line parade. Everyone can join in with golf carts, bikes and you can even walk
- 9 p.m., Nola Dukes finishes live music performance