March
2002
The
Night Beat: The Big Easy in Trenton
By
Shamus Burke
The
day is Fat Tuesday. The object is to soothe as much sin itching
within our souls as possible. With a special lady friend, I am searching
for Mardi Gras in Trenton. On this night we are rock stars groovin'
with voodoo getting wrapped up in all kinds of debauchery around
the Delaware's Big Easy.
Tipped
off by someone who knows, we head up Route 29 to Anthony Merlino's
Waterfront, where they hosted "Bacardi Gras." These cats
had the right idea. They transformed the Waterfront Room into the
"Bourbon Street Supper Club." Purple, green and gold balloons
and streamers set the festive mood and the floral arrangements add
a touch of Louisiana.
Chef
Craig Rishko performed some black magic on the palates of all who
indulged in his four-course Cajun/Creole menu. He made sin taste
a little better serving entrees like citrus-baked red snapper topped
with pecan and baby shrimp salsa, chicken and chorizo etouffee over
dirty rice and crayfish and cornbread stuffed loin of pork enhanced
by a cracked pepper demi-glace. The meal was topped off by two Dixieland
favorites: peach cobbler and, of course, jazz.
Good
jazz is about more than music. Good jazz is about letting go to
a rhythm, holding the vibe of room, improvisation, feeling, groove
and fun. Good jazz is about being in a moment.
The
program read, "Derf Nolde, leader of the Keystone Jazz Group,
has gathered a world class Traditional Jazz Band" highlighting
"Trenton's own Tony Di Nicola." These guys were pure class,
taking turns stepping into an improvised solo-each toe tap, each
breath blown, each finger snap moved on the beat. They had the mature
crowd out of their seats, moving on the dance floor and around the
bar. Even the cigar smoke seemed to wrap around the notes. They
were in a moment-a moment where they had the entire room in rhythm.
After
the band wrapped up, around ten thirty, we wrapped it up ourselves
with one last dirty martini. From Merlino's we headed back down
Route 29 to KatManDu. Katmandu had its Mardi Gras bash the Friday
before Fat Tuesday; so even though they had no cover, they were
partied out by the time Tuesday rolled around. Seeing that the parking
lot was just about empty, we tried Sambuca on South Broad Street.
Tuesday
is college night at Sambuca. College night equals cheap booze: dollar
beers, two-dollar shots and three-dollar pitchers, that sort of
thing. They passed out beads and masks at the door, but the masquerade
theme was a hard sell to the college crowd. It was a slow night
for Sambuca, but it was still early.
We
decided to take advantage of the extra room on the dance floor.
The contemporary club mix was a complete contrast to the silky jazz
of traditional Mardi Gras parties, but it was good for dancing.
I got two bottles of beer (less likely to spill than drinks) and
we donned our masks and beads in an almost private dance. In strobe
flashes and blasts of beat, the sparkle of plastic beads and the
mystery behind a mask can really add to the sensuality of moving
together.
Later,
we cooled down at the bar. There's no beating a one-dollar bottle
of beer. Looking around, we realized that other than the masks and
beads, it was a regular college night at Sambuca-fun, but nothing
special. Nonetheless, dancing at Sambuca was a good way to end the
night. We took care of the bartender and made our way home.
