Get cozy this cold Thursday night with crafts on St. Claude, Shakespeare at NOMA, DJ Shadow at the Republic, and more. On December 13, 1935, the Bonnet Carre Spillway was dedicated. Click for more on what to do tonight in the Crescent City.

Today, Jazz in the Park returns at Armstrong, a pair of high-profile lectures feature the archbishop and an up-and-coming author, the monthly Bassik party celebrates its second anniversary and local theatre productions return put the people on the stages and in the seats once again. On this day in Louisiana history, jazz piano pioneer Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton was born (1885), as was piano pioneer of a different era Eddie Bo (1929). Tickle today with these:

by Dan Goodman

Locally grown Winter Circle Productions' monthly bass-fueled concert series BASSIK is back this week to celebrate its two year anniversary at the Republic Thursday night. It was this time a few years ago that the now vibrant sect of electronic music known as dubstep began to bud in the Big Easy. Dubstep is now a household name in mainstream music. Facilitating the movement, BASSIK has consistently brought worldwide talent of the highest caliber to an intimate setting with stellar production.

by Dan Goodman

The monthly Bass-centric dance party known as BASSIK is moving to a different day for this month's edition of electronic offerings. Just a day away from the usual Thursday slot, this Wednesday at the Republic the fellas at Winter Circle Productions are bringing in the apex of world renowned talent in the newest dubstep craze with Britain's own Flux Pavilion.

by Dan Goodman

With the warm weather welcoming the rapidly approaching bulk of the Mardi Gras season, the folks at Winter Circle Productions are putting together a potent bill to kick off the weekend right with their monthly installment of the electronic music party Bassik. This month, headlining the party, who has brought world renowned electronic artists such as Caspa and Datsik, will be the well celebrated UK party-starter.

Tonight, Bombthreat II shakes down on Washington Avenue and BASSIK hits Republic. In history, The Embargo Act was passed by the U.S. Congress (1807), Beethoven premiered his 5th Symphony in Vienna (1808), the first freight train was operated in Roorkee, India (1851), Madonna married Guy Ritchie (2000), Diane Sawyer was born (1945), and Samuel Beckett died (1989).

by Dan Goodman

Rounding out 2011 is part one of a special holiday offering of WInter Circle Productions' monthly bass music inspired dance party BASSIK at the Republic this Thursday. As a special December treat, BASSIK has installed two special performances from some of the biggest names in bass music from across the globe. Tomorrow night spotlights two special acts from varying genres, melded together into one memorable bill: PANTyRAiD and AraabMUZIK.

by Dan Goodman

Since last coming to New Orleans, Paper Diamond (Alex Botwin) has been trekking across the country delivering energetic sets and saccharine sounds to the devout fanbase, usually spotted by sunglasses indoors or neon attire but nonetheless prepared for dancing late into the night. Tonight, he'll be at Republic for the monthly Bassik party.

by Dan Goodman

This month, the deep bass mayhem of Bassik falls on a Wednesday night rather than the usual Thursday but the agenda is still the same: bringing the freshest and biggest names in bass music from around the world to New Orleans. Tonight, the dubstep fueled party presented by Winter Circle Productions at Republic features Canadian duo, Zeds Dead.

May 19, when Catherine of Aragon married Arthur Tudor (1499). They were ages 13 and 12, respectively. Just short of two score later, Anne Boleyn was beheaded on accounts of adultery, treason, and incest (1536). Today also marks Malcolm X’s birthday (1925), and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s death (1864). It's a pretty epic day. Keep that trend up with the following: