REVIEW CONTRIBUTED BY SEAN SORNBERGER | SHOW DATE: February 15, 2025 || Photos by: BISS Team – Pamela Gerstein & Natalie Sekowski

This loyal BISS lister was lucky enough to be selected for the Patreon plus one with Miss BISS experience on 2/15 for the Preservation Hall show at the beautiful Presidio Theater.

Pre-Show Festivities

This was a Mardi Gras-themed event, and upon entry, theater staff handed me beads and directed me to the outdoor tent, where they had New Orleans-themed food and cocktails. Jazz Mafia’s Brass Mafia played a wonderful opening set while show attendees enjoyed cocktails such as the famous Pimm’s Cup and food selections like gumbo, jambalaya, and muffuletta sandwiches. By all accounts, the New Orleans-themed food and cocktail menu was a huge hit with the crowd.

Once Miss BISS got some photos and socialized, we adjourned downstairs to the Members Lounge, which was open to all during this event. The lounge had a DJ, a photo booth area for patrons, and a full bar, all appropriately decorated in the night’s Mardi Gras theme. Opening the lounge to all attendees was just one of many thoughtful touches by the incredible theater staff. After enjoying a drink, we journeyed back upstairs as the main event was about to begin in the theater.

The Main Event

The theater itself is a lovely, intimate seated venue with drink holders at each seat, which is always a plus. The show started promptly at 7:30 PM with some traditional New Orleans brass band tunes, including a wonderful rendition of Eliza Jane. A few tunes into the show, Ben Jaffe—who had played in New York the night before for the SNL 50th show—took the mic to let the crowd know how special San Francisco is to the band. He told stories of being a child traveling to San Francisco with the band and how the city’s history with Preservation Hall started at such iconic venues as the Carousel Ballroom and The Fillmore.

Show Highlights

The show continued with an absolutely stunning solo piano performance by Kyle Roussel, which brought the house down. To say this young man is talented would be a massive understatement. Earlier, Ben Jaffe included him in the league of many of the great piano players from New Orleans, and Kyle proved him right.

Following Kyle’s jaw-dropping performance, the band brought out the first special guest, Wendell Brunious. The Brunious family is a long-tenured New Orleans music family, and Wendell shared some amazing stories before performing a tune recorded on Conti Street by his father in the 1950s. Next, Wendell introduced his wife of 24 years, Caroline. Caroline is from Sweden and attended UNO on a full scholarship as a clarinet player, and she blew the roof off the theater by taking the lead on the next tune of the evening.

As the evening progressed, the band had time for one final special guest: Mino Cinelu from Martinique. As a percussionist, Mino has played with greats like Miles Davis and Sting. Mino had a colorful stage presence and performed with an energy that was truly infectious. Personally, I have never witnessed anyone shred a triangle like Mino!

A Grand Finale

As the night came to a close, Preservation Hall busted out a couple of classics, When You Go to New Orleans and Big Chief. The crowd was on their feet, enjoying every second. It was a magical evening for all and a true treat for this longtime BISS lister. If you get a chance to see a show at the Presidio Theater, please check it out.

From the bottom of my heart, thanks to Miss BISS herself for an incredible evening.

I would be remiss if I didn’t call out the other BISS listers in attendance: Terry & Coleen, Booka, Claire, Charles, Jenni & Anom, and of course, Bacchus.

Happy Mardi Gras!!

~Sean Sornberger

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