As the calendar turns to February, I usually start to look at the forecast. Not the weather. That has pretty much stunk lately. Instead I like to check out the crawfish outlook from the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion & Research Board, and despite the recent spate of bad weather that also affected the Bayou State, it’s shaping up to be a pretty normal year for mudbug supply.
That’s music to many of our ears, because there have been some tough times lately in terms of the price and availability of good crawfish. It’s especially good news for two upcoming mega-boils — one a new event and the other a longtime favorite.
Carey Bringle is no stranger to a crawfish boil, and he is good friends with famous Louisiana chef Donald Link’s brother Billy, and they have thrown some pretty great soirees together in the past. But this year, Bringle is partnering with media brand Modern South to throw the first Nashville Crawfish Festival at Bringle’s Smoking Oasis in The Nations on Sunday, April 19, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The event will shut down (appropriately) Louisiana Avenue for the day for an old-fashioned block party and boil. Preorders of fresh by-the-pound crawfish will be available through Bringle's online system and day-of sales, and some of Carey’s friends will be on hand to contribute. The Cajun culinary lineup extends beyond crawfish, with favorites from Spicy Boy’s, The Gumbo Bros, Beignets and Brews and more. Bringle’s bar will be selling and sampling Peg Leg Porker Spirits, Good Boy Vodka and other suppliers’ products throughout the event.
A main stage will feature live Cajun music plus other entertainment, and there will be other community-focused and family-friendly events planned, including interactive activities like yard games. Dogs are welcome too!
While Carey Bringle may be putting on the first official Nashville Crawfish Festival, the boilers at Tennessee Brew Works have been hosting crawfish parties for more than a decade (including that unfortunate year when they had to switch crustaceans due to a lack of supply).
They’re planning their 11th Annual Crawfish Boil March 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and March 8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring craft beer, live music and crawfish all weekend at 809 Ewing Ave. Admission is free with plenty of indoor and outdoor patio seating.
They are planning to cook more than 2,000 pounds (literally a TON!) of fresh Louisiana crawfish, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes, which will be boiled in Tennessee Brew Works’ Hippies & Cowboys IPA, creating a delicious combination that’s authentic to the brand.
Here’s the schedule for the live music:
Saturday, March 7
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Noelle Goodin & Friends
1-3 p.m.: Tennessee Warblers
3-6 p.m.: Mudbug Stompers
6-8 p.m.: Erin Hazelrig and the Dolly Parton Tribute Band
Sunday, March 8
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Easy Green
1-3 p.m.: Senie Hunt Band
3-5 p.m.: Sheriff Scott & the Deputies
This is always a popular event, and considering the amount of construction in the neighborhood, parking will be pretty much nonexistent. Ridesharing is strongly suggested — plus you’ll be able to enjoy a couple extra pints that way.
In non-crawfish (but still Louisiana-adjacent) news, the mixology teachers at Liquor Lab are teaming up with Love’s Alibi, the new cocktail bar in The Gulch, for a special Valentine’s-themed class on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. Love’s Alibi is the latest Nashville project from the New Orleans team behind Barrel Proof and The Chloe, so they’ll be contributing some Louisiana flair and cocktail recipes to the class at Liquor Lab’s facility at 144 Second Ave. N., Suite 10. Tickets are $70 per person, and you can reserve your spot behind the bar for the 90-minute class at the event’s website.
