Vendredi

Today, a lecture on James Brown at Octavia Books, Kermit holds it down at Bullet’s, the second season of the web documentary Black Folk Don’t screens at Ashe Cultural Arts Center, Van Halen ends their tour in New Orleans, and Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers do rockabilly at Allways Lounge. On this day in history, soul singer Brenton Wood was born in Shreveport, LA (1941), funk singer Eldridge Holmes was born in Violet, LA (1941), and fans began leaving the Celebration of Life Festival in Point Coupee Parish, LA, due to heat and a lack of facilities, food, water and music (1971).

R. J. Smith (Octavia Books, 6:00pm) Former senior editor of Los Angeles magazine, the author discusses The One: The Life and Music of James Brown. The meticulous biography of the Godfather of Soul follows James Brown from his childhood in medieval-poverty in the segregated South to his involvement in the Black Power movement. Free and open to the public.

Kermit Ruffins (Bullet’s Sports Bar, 6:00pm) He seems to be enjoying his earlier gig times, with the new bar and all. Check out one of Nola’s most recognizable faces at his regular gig in the Seventh Ward.

Black Folk Don’t (NR) (Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 6:30pm) New Orleans Film Society and BlackPublicMedia screen the second season of the documentary web series. The web series digs into the negative stereotypes and statistical facts surrounding the saying, “Black folk don’t…” Following the screening is a Q&A with Angela Tucker, the Brooklyn-based Director of Production at Big Mouth Films.

Van Halen (New Orleans Arena, 7:30pm) The hard-rock legends make their final stop on their tour in New Orleans. The band cancelled the rest of the tour, as the battle of David Lee Roth vs. the Van Halen brothers cannot end. The band came out with their new album, A Different Kind of Truth, earlier this year.

Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers (Allways Lounge, 10:00pm) Aurora Nealand fronts under her alter outfit, backed by the rockabilly ensemble for a “Summer Breakup” show. Nealand has played in the Panorama Jazz Band, The Royal Roses, The New Orleans Moonshiners, Meschiya Lake’s Little Big Horns, and Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship? 

The Offshore (Company Burger, 7:00 p.m.) 50 bones gets you a night of tiki on Freret Street. Nick Detrich from Cure will be serving up the island cocktails as Adam Biderman of Company Burger tosses in the sustenance, luau style.