THE KING LIVES: Celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley's 74th birthday at several bashes around town. The ninth annual Elvis Fest is going down at the Original Mother's on Division Street, offering free peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches, birthday cake and prizes for Elvis karaoke and look-alike contests. 7PM, $5 suggested donation goes to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. At Dick's Last Resort, Johnny and the 4 Man play live covers of Elvis tunes, while Elvis impersonator and jelly donut-eating contests keep things interesting. 7:30PM, no cover.
JEWISH JAMS: Join Y-Love and Diwon, a Brooklyn-based hip-hop duo, as they perform at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies. Y-Love had made his name by rapping faith-based songs in a combination of English, Yiddish, Hebrew and Aramaic, while Diwon spins electronica beats mixed with traditional Yemenite and Sephardic sounds. 7:30PM, $10.
BLAME IT ON RIO: Heat up your Thursday nights at "Braziliance," a South American-inspired dance party at Sonotheque. DJ Joe Bryl plays Brazilian beats, and the tropical cocktails flow. Tonight's event will celebrate the new year with a Rio-inspired bash. 9PM-2AM, $5 after 10PM, no cover before 10PM or with RSVP to nick.lambrou@gmail.com.
