The legendary Dr. John has apparently fallen ill, forcing him to cancel two scheduled performances, tonight and tomorrow night, at The Hall At MP in Brooklyn, NY. The shows will go on without the NOLA legend, though entry to these shows is now free.
John was supposed to perform as part of the venue’s Mardi Gras Madness series, which also includes upcoming performances from Jambalaya Brass Band, Flow Tribe, John Papa Gros Band, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Marc Broussard, Nolatet (ft. Johnny Vidacovich, Mike Dillon & more), Bonerama, and the Bill Laurence Group.
Dr. John shared the news via his Twitter feed:
Dr. John’s @thehallbrooklyn concerts tonight & tomorrow are canceled due to illness. He looks forward to making up the shows at a later date
— Dr. John (@akadrjohn) February 5, 2016
The Mardi Gras Ball will go on regardless. An official statement reads:
“Dr. John has cancelled his performances this weekend due to illness and we wish him a speedy recovery. That does not mean that Mardi Gras is cancelled though! The 10th Annual Nolafunk Mardi Gras Ball weekend will go on as planned as FREE events! (If you purchased tickets already, you will be refunded automatically via Ticketweb.)
The New Orleans menu will be served before the show from 5pm-8pm next door at MP Taverna. Reservations are filling up fast. Call (929) 250-2312 or email info@mpbrooklyn.com now if interested. We’ll have limited seating in The Hall first some first seated, and those that are seated during the show can eat from the New Orleans menu.
Tonight doors will open at 7pm and Asheville, NC’s Empire Strikes Brass will take the stage for a short set at 8pm. Davell Crawford, the “Piano Prince of New Orleans” will be next, followed by another set of Empire Strikes Brass. DJ Cochon de Lait will be spinnning all night long when the bands are not on stage.
Tomorrow (Saturday) doors will open at 7pm and Davell Crawford will begin at 8pm followed by New Orleans’ own Soul Brass Band. Once again, DJ Cochon de Lait will be laying down the funk.
No need to RSVP for admission. Just show up and walk in! Reminder, it will be first come first seated at the tables. Thank you & Happy Mardi Gras!”
-CEG, Nolafunk, and The Hall at MP