Eddie Baytos & the Nervis Brothers perform at the Santa Monica Pier during the closing night of the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Eddie Baytos can be said to be from N’Wahlins via Hollywood. A staple of the Southland’s music scene, Baytos is both musician – accordion, piano, keyboards, frottoir (washboard) – choreographer, composer and producer.  Grounded in Zydeco, New Orleans Funk, Blues and Tex-Mex, the Nervis Brothers incorporate Cumbias, Cuban, Forro' and Ska to “…bring the world closer through music and dance!” Eddie Baytos & the Nervis Brothers clearly play “World Mardi Gras Music” for your dining and dancing pleasure!

Led Zeppelin tribute band "Led Zepagain," performs at the Santa Monica Pier during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 26, 2010.

Beatles tribute band "Abbey Road" performs at the Santa Monica Pier during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 26, 2010.

Artist Greg Adamson paints a portrait of John Lennon during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 26, 2010. 

The ever-soulful Bettye LaVette, 64, performs at the Santa Monica Pier during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 19, 2010. According to the New York Times, “Ms LaVette rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation’s most vital soul singer. She uses every scrape, shout and break in her raspy voice, with a predator’s sense of timing to seize the drama of a song.” Ms. LaVette has most recently made news in her nearly 50 year career with her May 2010 release of, “Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook,” which brings the British Invasion home to its American R & B roots and features LaVette’s raw emotional renderings of compositions by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. For those who missed LaVette’s powerfully memorable three night run at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this year, another opportunity presents itself to see this force of nature. Ms. LaVette’s show will include material spanning her entire career including the British Rock Songbook www.bettyelavette.com.

Guitarist Eric Krasno  from  Soulive  performs at the Santa Monica Pier during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 12, 2010.

Vocalist Afrodyete and Mixmaster Wolf from The Breakestra perform at the Santa Monica Pier during the 26th Annual Twilight Dance Series on Thursday, August 12, 2010.