Eighth Annual Mardi Gras San Francisco Style Kicks off in Fillmore Plaza
“Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore” returns with free blues concert & annual masquerade ball
SAN FRANCISCO – Keeping with the tradition of celebrating with great music, creative costumes, good food and colorful beads, The Village Project, The Fillmore Center and MOEWD are proud to present the Eighth Annual Mardi Gras San Francisco Style – Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore on Tuesday, March 4. This year’s festival once again will bring San Francisco’s historic Fillmore Music District to life with colorful events that include a masquerade ball, street artists and performers. The celebration also will commence with a free kick-off blues concert from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Fillmore Plaza, 1475 Fillmore. It will feature the legendary Bobbie “Spider” Webb & the Smooth Blues Band. Following the concert, a festive New Orleans processional down the Fillmore Corridor will be led by Chief Takawaka (Henry Clement) and the Gumbo Band, culminating at the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball. Guests will be able to enjoy food, drink and other specials at numerous Fillmore restaurants, clubs and businesses. A plethora of eclectic delectable eats will be available to satisfy every palate – whether it’s food & libations at Fat Angel, chicken and waffles at Gussie’s; the Southern-inspired cuisine of 1300 on Fillmore; homemade cookies and ice cream at Bumzy’s Cookies and Miyako Ice Cream; Yoshi’s Japanese; Bruno’s Italian or Ethiopian cuisine & Jazz from Sheba Piano Lounge. Brooklyn Circus is offering a 10% discount, a free T-shirt and complimentary refreshment with conditional purchase.
“We are excited about this year’s celebration as we are expecting visitors from the Fillmore District and beyond,” Adrian Williams, executive director of The Village Project, said. “Not only does our annual Mardi Gras celebration include what people look for in the traditional New Orleans celebrations, it continues to embrace the history of this neighborhood – where music has been intertwined into the fabric of everyday life for more than 100 years”. Following the outdoor festivities, the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball will take place at the West Bay Conference Center, 1290 Fillmore. The crown jewel of San Francisco’s Fat Tuesday celebration will feature Henry Clement and his band and DJ, Mr. “C”, spinning dance tunes, as guests enjoy an evening of New Orleans style food, dancing to Zydeco and Rhythm and Blues, a costume contest, raffles and plenty of partying. Advance purchase tickets for the Masquerade Ball are $45 per person or $80 for couples. At the door, tickets are $50 per individual and $90 for couples. Ticket price include admission to the ball, dinner, beads, a wristband for corridor specials and a beverage. The purchase of a $10 wristband will allow those not attending the ball to enjoy specials offered by numerous Fillmore restaurants and clubs along the Fillmore Corridor. Tickets and wristbands can be purchased @ The Village Project, 2097 Turk St. and at
www.mardigrassanfrancisco.com or www.eventbrite.com
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About the Village Project
Adrian Williams is the founder of The Village Project, a youth service organization focusing on education and cultural enrichment for youth and their families in the Western Addition. The Village Project also produces Grilling in the ’MO, A Senior Moment and Seven Days of Kwanzaa Celebration, which last year was held in 14 different venues throughout San Francisco. This year’s Mardi Gras San Francisco Style is co-sponsored by the Fillmore Center Plaza Apartments, The Mayor’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development and District 5 Supervisor, London Breed. Community partners are Episcopal Charities, Renaissance Parents of Success, Jewish Community High School of the Bay, West Bay Conference Center, Urban Solutions, Gussie’s Chicken and Waffles,1300 on Fillmore, Jazz’z Salon & Boutique, YMCA Urban Services, Western Addition Family Resource Center, The Magic Zone, African American Arts & Culture Complex, The Y, The Brooklyn Circus - SF, Bruno’s Pizza, Third World Market, Prime Dip, Bumzy’s Cookies, Marcus Books, Planet Fillmore Communications, Sheba Piano Lounge, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Union of Black Episcopalians, Miyako Ice Cream, Fat Angels Food & Libations, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church, SFPD, Teri’s Creation and Boutique, Nia Soul Catering, Bi-Rite Markets, Cheap Pete’s Frame Outlet, State Bird Provisions, Charlie’s Pharmacy, The Fillmore Farmers Market, The Social Study, African American Black Leadership Forum, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco Black Film Festival , Village Project Advisory Board, the Fillmore District Merchants and the WAFRC. Business Name: The Village Project
Contact: Adrian Williams
Email: [email protected]
Address: 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 424-2980
Websites URL: www.thevillageprojectsf.org www.mardigrassanfrancisco.com, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vt-h4UjD0o , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2pFo7Jdc_g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXAUj3MG0UA
