Live events continue this winter at Rhythmix, and community favorite Pete Elman returns with a new music history course followed almost immediately by CHELLE! & Friends’ Mardi Gras party! Elman brings eight weeks of music history magic to the Rhythmix theater from February through April.

Mere days after the first session of class, the theater will be full of dancing, music, and fun in celebration of Mardi Gras. “Let it Rock: The Mount Olympus of American Rock Bands, 1965-1995" will explore the music and history of legendary rock & roll bands over an eight-week class in the beautiful Rhythmix theater.

“This is a course I have always wanted to teach,” said Elman. “The rich history of rock is full of brilliant songs and singers, but the essence of rock and roll has always been the rock and roll band — that small, usually four to seven piece — ensemble made up of young musicians who caught lightning in a bottle together, taking their blues, R&B, rockabilly, early rock, country, folk and jazz influences and combining them to create music that is timeless and inspiring.”

Let It Rock will showcase six of the greatest American rock & roll bands, featuring The Doors, The Allman Brothers Band, The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Then CHELLE! & Friends will bring the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras to the island of Alameda on Feb. 18. The event will consist of dance and music that will showcase the culture of New Orleans, with a mix of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, gospel, swamp pop, rock and Mardi Gras Indian music.

New Orleans native and Oakland’s own “Queen of New Orleans,” Michelle Jacques, will be joined by some of the most distinguished and accomplished musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area to bring the magic of CHELLE! & Friends to Rhythmix.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to arrive early to grab a bite to eat and a drink. Stephanie Dalton of Steph's Good Food will be serving mouthwatering Gumbo (traditional and vegan) and the bar has Hurricanes and tropical cocktails available for purchase. Bring your appetite for food, drink, dancing, and fun!

Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening of music and celebration. Laissez les bon temps rouler and come party with CHELLE! & Friends at the Mardi Gras celebration of the year. Tickets are now available! Discounts for group purchases of six or more tickets, use the code “mardiparty” at checkout.

Rhythmix Cultural Works’ Mardi Gras Party with CHELLE! & Friends takes place on Feb. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.

“Let It Rock: The Mount Olympus of American Rock Bands, 1965-1995" takes place Thursdays, Feb. 16 through April 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. Both events take place at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.rhythmix.org.

Colin Epstein is a Rhythmix program associate.