Jeudi

Today, Fiona Apple is free to play the House of Blues, DJ Soul SIster's film series continues, the Saints' Malcolm Jenkins gives NOLA a Taste, and Irvin Mayfield dips into architecture. On this day in Louisiana history, Dixie Cups member Rosa Lee Hawkins was born (1944), New Orleans piano man Tom McDermott was born (1958) and Hurricane Rita made landfall in Southwest Louisiana, devastating the area and killing two people (2005). Now for today's ups and downs:

Fiona Apple (House of Blues, 8:00 PM) Before last week, chantreuse Fiona Apple was making headlines for latest album with a long title, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do. But she got arrested for drug possession in Texas and then talked about it in a roundabout manner, temporarily overshadowing the record's off-kilter arrangements and songwriting prowess. Tonight, she's free and, even if not clean, ready to dazzle the HOB. Tickets are $60.

WTF: An Okaymentary (Cafe Istanbul, 6:00 PM) DJ Soul Sister may not be HUSTLEing at Mimi's at the moment, but her Musically Speaking film series rolls on. Tonight, this documentary takes a look at an online community buoyed by their love of music, and, in turn, showing that the Internet can be a compassionate place.

Taste of New Orleans (City Park Pavillion of the Two Sister (7:00 PM) The Saints' Malcolm Jenkins and his eponymous foundation host their first-ever foodie fundraiser at City Park. Pierre Thomas, Jabari Greer and Roman Harper will also be in the house, as will door prizes. Tickets are $125.

Irvin Mayfield lectures (Lavin-Bernick Center at Tulane U, 6:00 PM) The trumpeter has been known for his skills behind a mic, but today he branches out even further with a lecture at Tulane's School of Architecture. The topic he'll take on is "The Art of Building Good Ideas." Based on past interviews, we can attest that he won't fail to impress, even if there won't be as many angles and models as the architects are accustomed to.

Waiting Around: The Restaurant Musical (Allways Lounge, 8:00 p.m.)Ricky Graham's service industry send-up returns to St. Claude, assuming the power holds up. Jim Fitzmorris called it  "a bang-bang of an evening that shamelessly and joyfully mixes cabaret intimacy, musical theatre motifs, and stand up comedy. Furthermore, it has signatory style that many recognized local theatrical companies would kill to possess."