PRESTON FRANK & BIG DADDY ZYDECO PLAY GALAXY BREWING FEB. 10TH

Mardi Gras comes but once a year. Incidentally, so does the day after Mardi Gras. And as any Mardi Gras reveler (or career alcoholic) will attest, the only way to face “the day after” is with the hair of the dog that bit you. That is to say, just one more.

The day after Mardi Gras, the fine folks at Galaxy Brewing Company (they know a thing or two about “the day after”) and the fine folks at Triple Cities Carousel (we know nothing about “the day after”) are offering music lovers in Binghamton one more dance (see what we did there?) with an event we’re calling Fatter Wednesday. And we’re bringing in the heavy hitters for this one.

No post- Mardi Gras dance party would be complete without a zydeco band, and as it turns out, we know the best players around. You’ve heard of Preston Frank, right? Of course you have. The famed accordionist is the patriarch of a family whose name is practically synonymous with zydeco. A fourth generation Southwest Louisiana musician, Frank (along with his children Keith, Jennifer, and Brad) is perhaps solely responsible for the import of Creole music to upstate New York; his family’s yearly six hour long late night dance tent performances at Trumansburg’s Grassroots Festival (as Preston Frank & the Zydeco Family Band, later as Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band) are things of legend on the festival circuit.

On February 10th, Frank headlines our day-after bash, leading a musical who’s-who with a project called Big Daddy Zydeco. Joining him onstage: guitarist Jim Miller, cofounder and former front-man of Grassroots’ host band Donna the Buffalo; upright bassist Jed Greenberg (also a former member of Donna the Buffalo); world renowned clawhammer banjo player Richie Stearns (The Horse Flies, Natalie Merchant); fiddle player Rosie Newton (The Duhks, The Pearly Snaps); and drummer Ryan Cady (The Horse Flies).

For those not so versed in zydeco music, those names still might sound familiar. Jim, Jed, Richie, and Rosie all make fairly regular appearances in the Triple Cities region, most recently as the old-timey folk foursome Red Dog Run. Their haunting melodies and expert musicianship, as well as impressive resumes, have made them one of the most talked about groups in the tight-knit New York roots scene. And since they’re coming to the party anyway, we figured we might as well have them play a set!

Red Dog Run kicks off the evening at 8pm. Preston and Big Daddy Zydeco follow. Who knows? They might play all night. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes… and show up early: Galaxy’s Executive Chef, Brian Lovesky, is serving up some very special Louisiana inspired specials for dinner!

Fatter Wednesday with Preston Frank & Big Daddy Zydeco (and special guests Red Dog Run) takes place Wednesday, February 10th. Tickets are $12/advance, $15/door, available now at Galaxy Brewing Company (41 Court St, Binghamton) or online at galaxybrewingco.com.