Fall is finally officially here. With the warm welcome of cooler temperatures and overall beautiful weather to look forward to, I am also anticipating some fantastic opportunities to hear live, local music in October.

             Whether your tastes are classic, Cajun, funky New Orleans brass or soulful blues, the northshore has it all this month. With On The Seen, I’ll be jamming and jiving to some top-notch talent across the area.

             For a unique experience here on the northshore, check out Opera On Tap.  On October 28, members of the New Orleans Opera will be participating in a casual performance at the Abita Brew Pub.  I attended the opera’s first performance there last month and it was just a fantastic experience.  The amount of talent represented, of course, was astounding. Their voices resounded through the Brew Pub and filled every inch of the place with bold, beautiful music. But equally enchanting was the venue itself.  Something about seeing and hearing these musicians perform so casually – in t-shirts and blue jeans and tucked in between crowded tables and bus carts - was just charming.  It is free and the show starts at 7:00, but get there early if you want a table or a seat at the bar.

             Opera not your thing? Perhaps the soulful sound of Charmaine Neville will get your toes tapping.  On the evening of October 17, Ms. Neville and her band will be returning to the northshore once again and performing at Jazz’N the Vines at Ponchartrain Vineyards.  This event I absolutely love to attend at least once each season.  From April to June and September to November, the lovely vineyard in the northern hills of Bush hosts some of the best and most eclectic mix of music around.  The setting is sublime, surrounded by the vines and sitting under the stars as you listen to the music and maybe even dance by candlelight.  It is an experience like no other, and Charmaine Neville is definitely a show not to be missed.

             This event I am so excited about!  Sponsored by the city of Covington, Rockin’ the Rails is a new free concert series at the Covington Trailhead happening every Wednesday for the month of October.  With music starting at 5:00 in the heart of downtown, it’s a perfect opportunity for those working in the area to walk over and wind down after a long workday.  The music line-up is impressive and a crowd pleaser, too.  My two personal favorites, can’t miss, Wednesdays will be October 14 when the Pfister Sisters perform and October 21 for John Boutte (if you have never seen Mr. Boutte perform, you are missing out – his voice is like velvet!).  The trailhead is an intimate setting to hear these musicians, and a great opportunity to even bring the family to enjoy a pleasant, music filled, mid-week break.

             For purists at heart who like to hear their favorite bands live in a more traditional music club setting, make your way to the Northshore Howlin’ Wolf on October 23 to hear New Orleans’ own favorite classic funk collaboration, the Rebirth Brass Band.  The Howlin’ Wolf is a much-appreciated addition to the northshore music scene.  Providing a new venue and highlighting the immense amount of talent here on our side of the pond, The Wolf, in addition, is coercing some of NOLA’s best to perform on the northshore. A sister to the flagship Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans, this location in old Mandeville provides that same good feeling of genuineness and grit that some bands, like Rebirth, sound perfect in.   Rebirth starts at 10:00, and tickets can be purchased online for all shows at the Wolf at www.howlin-wolf.com

             I have provided you with the juicy details of just a few of the offerings in music this month throughout the area.  October is a fabulous month to get out, enjoy all the northshore has to offer and be a part of things here! Fanfare in Hammond, the Wooden Boat Festival in Madisonville, the Abita Springs Opry, Bayou Jam in Slidell … the list is endless, with opportunities to move and groove.  I have dusted off my dancing shoes and intend on making it to as many shows as possible this month!  Follow me on Twitter at @OnTheSeen, where I will be tweeting from these events, too.  Stay tuned with me here On The Seen always, for the latest in happenings on the northshore, and please email me at scampbell@northshoreconifer.com with your hot tips on fun and fabulous events, so I can be sure to be On The Seen!