A&E

Femme brass blasts off DTA! series

by Walter Pierce

Downtown Alive! returns Friday for its spring 2013 concert series with The Original Pinettes Brass Band, the world's only all-female New Orleans-style brass ensemble.

Downtown Alive! returns Friday for its spring 2013 concert series with The Original Pinettes Brass Band, the world's only all-female New Orleans-style brass ensemble.

Hailed for their lively, often raucous performances that feed on crowd participation, The Original Pinettes Brass Band was formed in 1991 at St. Mary's Academy High School in New Orleans, an all-girls Catholic school. Members have rotated in and out over the years, with players now ranging in age from 17 to 40 years old. The group interprets a wide range of popular music in their performances - everything from Cab Calloway and Lil' Wayne to Cyndi Lauper. The band's hectic gig schedule this spring includes not only Downtown Alive! but the fabled New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

This week's DTA! will commence at 5:30 p.m. in Parc International. The music rolls from 6-8:30. DTA! is a free event supported by concession sales so please leave the ice chests at home.