Come to the Mardi Gras Ball!

Just a heads up about an amazing event being thrown on Saturday, Feb 9th that is near and dear to me. As a member of the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, I want to invite you all to the most authentic Carnival experience you can have right here in Portland. Mardi Gras is very special to folks who grew up or have lived in Louisiana, and the 3rd annual Mardi Gras Ball of the Mysti Krewe is about as real as it can get without buying a plane ticket and heading to New Orleans. There are deep traditions and customs that are part of the experience, but at the heart is a party with outstanding music, food, costumes, and celebration.

You really should come out and experience it -- and though costumes are encouraged, you don't really need to wear one.  You can get tickets here. Please feel free to spread the words to your friends via this  blog post or through Facebook. In fact, I'm encouraging it.   :-) 

Here are the details:

The Third Annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball

Saturday, February 9, 2013 @  7 p.m.

Bossanova Ballroom

722 East Burnside • Portland, OR 97214

Tickets @ bit.ly/MardiGrasPDX2013

Final preparations are underway for the most authentic, Louisiana-style, Carnival season celebration in Portland – the third annual Mardi Gras Ball presented by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus.  This themed costume ball, dreamed up by Louisiana expats who miss the celebration, will take place February 9th at the Bossanova Ballroom. Doors open at 7 p.m., and music begins at 8 p.m.

And, the Krewe has something very special planned to kick things off at 8 p.m. so don’t be late!

Tickets are $25 advance/ $30 day-of-show, available at the Bossanova website or through the Mardi Gras Ball site. The ball sold out last year, so don’t wait to get your tickets!

This year’s ball theme, Such a Night, takes its inspiration from one of New Orleans’ most recognized musicians and keepers of the flame, Dr. John. And such a night it will be at the Bossanova, which will be transformed into a Louisiana dance hall, festooned with fantastic decorations, beads, and baubles.

The ball features incredible music, tasty bites of Louisiana provided by Bernie’s Southern Bistro, a costume contest, a “second line” and shoebox float parade, and the presentation of the king and queen of the ball.

Entertainment will be provided by Atomic Gumbo featuring the dual pianos of Steve Kerin and special guest DK Stewart, who will go deep into classic New Orleans rhythm and blues; the Too Loose Cajun and Zydeco Band, laying down the irrepressible grooves of two of the most distinctive Louisiana musical traditions; the Transcendental Brass Band, bringing the classic raucous street and parade music of New Orleans; and the Skull and Bones Gang, providing a direct link to an almost 200-year-old New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition.