On Wednesday night, New Orleans music venue Howlin’ Wolf hosted A Celebration of a Lifetime: George Porter Jr.‘s 60th Birthday Bash. Bonerama opened the festivities and the group’s Mark Mullins participated throughout the evening, adding brass to much of the music that followed. A video presentation came next, with many of Porter’s longtime friends and fellow musicians, including Art Neville and Allen Toussaint, offering kind words. Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk then delivered a set followed by a version of Porter’s Runnin’ Pardners, which featured a trio of notable drummers switching off behind the kit: Stanton Moore, Johnny Vidacovich and Russell Batiste. The night concluded with a set from Porter Batiste Stoltz, who will travel to New York City for another gig honoring Porter, Saturday evening’s Official Gov’t Mule Aftershow Party at the Blender Theatre.