Once again, the football hype hath gone too far. A Michigan man conveniently named Shawn Payton apparently called in a bomb threat to the Superdome during the second half of the Jan. 7 Saints-Lions wild card game, and is due in federal court Monday. The 34-year-old made two calls to a reception desk in the filled-to-capacity Dome as the Saints opened up a lead in the second half that the Lions never recovered from. Suddenly, the 49ers fans look tame. As Jackson, Michigan's Payton said while admitting his actions to Da Paper and apologizing to fans, "I guess I'm not the only one who needs counseling." Coverage: New Orleans Detroit

It's not often that New Orleans is the talk of Utah, or even mentioned in the state that Mormons built. But such is the rarified air way up above the Earth in Park City, home to this week's Sundance Film Festival. Beasts of the Southern Wild, which was shot down da bayou, made by a NOLA-based filmmaker and stars the man responsible for those soul-cleansing Buttermilk Drops in the 7th Ward, is the talk of the ski town-turned-indie film polestar. The New York Times even called the movie "the standout of this year’s Sundance and among the best films to play at the festival in two decades." When do we get to see it, guys? Coverage from Utah: NYT LAT The Atlantic

CBD - OffBeat Magazine pulled out all the stops Friday night for their annual Best of the Beat Awards. The event at Generations Hall was a veritable who’s who of the NOLA music scene: Dr. John, George Porter Jr., Trombone Shorty, Big Freedia, and too many Nevilles to count mingled on crimson carpets and stepdowns at NOLA’s answer to the Grammys.

The year eighteen hundred twelve was not only the year of its namesake war, nor was it merely the year that Louisiane gained her place among these United States. In 1812, the first steamboat completed traveling the length of the Mighty Mississippi to make port in New Orleans. The journey, undertaken by the steamboat's architect and Teddy Roosevelt's great uncle Nicholas Roosevelt, took more than four months to completes.

Today, Wizard World Comic Con gets nerdy at the Convention Center, Krewe deux Boobs hit the French Quarter streets, the Pussyfooters get ready for marching season with their annual Blush Ball and the Soul Rebels celebrate a new album at Tipitina's. On this day in 1934, court fights began between Sen. Huey Long and New Orleans mayor T. Semmes Walmseley that would eventually lead to Long ordering the National Guard on City Hall. Don't get caught in today's crossfire. Click through to get all the details of today's happenings:

by Shay Sokol

MID-CITY - Mayor Mitch is already on the record as a singer, but today he revealed another key to his soulful side: a turn on the trumpet. Da Mayor and Trombone Shorty made a surprise appearance at a Warren Easton High School pep rally this afternoon to drop off 200 professional-level trumpets and trombones for the school. At about 2:45 p.m., while school brass were reading the current honor roll, Landrieu and Shorty entered the school's gym fronting a brass band.

If you plan to sleep in on Mardi Gras Day, then this Sunday might be your best chance to catch New Orleans’ oldest marching club, the Jefferson City Buzzards.  The group traditionally marches early on Fat Tuesday, starting uptown on Laurel Street near the zoo before 7 a.m.  While the costumed krewe is a familiar sight to early birds, late risers can get in on the fun this weekend as the Jefferson City Buzzards take to the streets for their annual Practice Parade this Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00pm. 

by Brad Rhines

At Bellocq’s grand opening last night, patrons partied like it was 1899.  Bellocq, which is the newest venture from the crew at Cure, specializes in 19th century cocktails and officially opened late last month on Lee Circle, alongside the newly renovated Hotel Modern. 

Time in New Orleans music is usually not marked by CD releases, but in the few short years since 2009's No Place Like Home, the Soul Rebels have gone from the old standby of Les Bon Temps Roule to the latest New Orleans exports who can't make it home every week for their standing gig. Tomorrow night, the brass band voted most likely to play a metal riff will release their latest CD, Unlock Your Mind, at Tipitina's. Then, they'll be out on the road with Galactic, and that will be the last we see them for months - save a two-night stand to celebrate Mardi Gras.

We're still a week away from the sperm and floats depicting sex scenes between politicians of Krewe du Vieux, and even further from the tourists flashing people on Bourbon Street. But, to whet our appetite for T, one Carnival parade is offering their peek at the girls this weekend. The Krewe Deux Boobs returns to the French Quarter Saturday at 4 p.m. for their fourth annual second line, which raises money for the Regional Breast Cancer Associaion's Rack Pack.

Today, the Sweet 610 Debutante Ball dials the 80s, the Camel Toe Lady Steppers host the best little Toe-Down in New Orleans and Crescent City Comics gets ready for Comic Con. On this day, New Orleans paid its final respects to Mahalia Jackson. The gospel queen died of heart failure and complications from diabetes at the age of 60, prompting thousands to gather and pay their respects. Keep her memory by lifting your voice with these:

FRENCH QUARTER - Quarter rats and downtown y’ats may know that the Hotel Monteleone's famous Carousel Bar quietly reopened for business after an extensive renovation. However, the gentle murmur became a paradegoer’s shout yesterday when the historic venue “officially” reopened. the Monteleone has done an excellent job making the place feel as if it were new, but new in 1950.

It still won't have more skin than MOMS, but NOLA benevolent-celebrity-in-chief Brad Pitt is getting together a mile-long guest list for a late winter party at the CBD's Hyatt Regency. The March 10 charity gala will benefit the screen actor's Make it Right Foundation, which continues to build those funky, energy efficient houses in the Lower 9, and yada-yada. But, really, about those celebs. The Y-chrosomed half of Brangelina appears to be digging outside the usual Cage-Bullock-Kid Rock axis when sending out invitations.

CBD - Yesterday afternoon, a school of Kingfish descended upon the Roosevelt Hotel. Mimicking Huey P. Long, dozens donned suspenders, straw boater hats, and blazers as part of a flashmob cum protest organized by environmental activists, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. Andrew Vaught, an organizer, explained, “Huey P. stood up for the little guy, and that’s what we need now.” Specifically, the group focused on Long’s taxation of the oil industry.

by Brad Rhines

As of Tuesday night, J’anitas ain’t dere no more.  While much has been made about the post-K restaurant revival in New Orleans, this week’s closing of both locations of one of the city’s favorites stands as a reminder of just how tough the business can be. Owners Craig and Kim Giesecke first opened J’anitas on lower Magazine Street back in 2008 and quickly earned a devoted following for their inspired breakfast and brunch menus, along with staples like the Best Fish Sammich Ever. 

NOLA's favorite hip-hop impressario is one y'at who appears to have gotten over the Saints' sorry ending. Instead of sinking into a barstool, and complaining about Greg Williams, Birdman is looking forward to the SuperBowl... and putting his money, five million dollars of it, where his mouth his.