Mardi Gras in the SBC Kicks Off this Saturday with 12th Night!

Time to drop off five Mardi Gras dresses to the cleaners today and get a Dryel for the rest that can't be dry cleaned, get your nails done tonight and plan to Mystic in the morning. Yep, Mardi Gras kicks off this Saturday!

Around here, the holidays are just fine. But everyone seems to LOVE Mardi Gras! In case you weren't aware, you don't have to be a member of a krewe to take part in all of the Mardi Gras festivities in the SBC. In fact, if you want to find out more about Mardi Gras, make sure you come to 12th Night this Saturday at the Bossier Civic Center presented by the Krewe of Centaur and the Krewe of Gemini.

It's Mardi Gras casual and all of the area krewes will be represented. They'll present the royalty from each of the krewes and have a huge 2nd line. Did I mention it's open bar?

Find out more by going to the Krewe of Centaur website.

Below is this year's calendar of Mardi Gras festivities! If I may recommend another event for this weekend, it's Mardi Gras Mass.

With all of the different krewes in the area, there's a fit for everyone! Also, be sure to check our website for photo galleries of all the festivities!

2012/13 MARDI GRAS EVENT DATES

2013

JANUARY

4^th Fri., Royalty Mixer, Centaur Krewe Events Center, 351 Aero Drive, 6:30 PM.

Dinner will be served, Cash Bar, dress is Mardi Gras Casual, second line

Jackets, Sashes, Crowns, and Tiaras. , catering by the Cypress Inn.

RSVP to Ricky Bridges at 318-393-8560 or centaurthrows@aol.com.

5^th Sat., Mardi Gras Mass, St. Pius X Catholic Church 4300 North Market Street, (behind

the old church), 9:00 AM. King Cake and Coffee will be served after the Mass.

RSVP to Jean Nixon at 318-221-8662.

5^th Sat., 12^th Night Celebration, Bossier Civic Center, 6:30 PM – Midnight, Royalty Intros at

8:00 PM, concessions available, open bar, Mardi Gras Festive Attire, Music by

Chee Weez. Tickets $40.00 online at www.KreweofCentaur.org, other locations to

be announced. Hotel room blocks at the new Hilton Garden Inn, 2015 Old Minden

Road with Complimentary Shuttle running all night. Reserve by December 21^st.

Contact Susan Shofner 318-470-0006 or centaurevents@gmail.com with questions.

5^th Sat., Krewe of Dionysos 12^th Night Celebration, Knights of Columbus Hall Natchitoches,

Doors open at 7:00 PM, Food, Live Band, Beer and Setups Provided, Captains,

Kings & Queens Complimentary all others $30.00 at the door.

10^th Thu., Krewe of Sobek Wine & Cheese Reception, Multicultural Center of the South

520 Spring Street, Shreveport. 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This is the kick off to a month

long exhibit of the history of the Krewe of Sobek. All Krewes are invited to attend.

Contact Shirlel Pierson at 318-222-0132 for more information.

11^th Fri., Krewe of Elders Grand Bal XV “Music Legends, , details 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.,

American Legions Cross Lake, Attire is Black Tie Optional. Dinner Buffett,

Cash Bar, 50/50 Raffle, Live Music. Tickets $40.00 in advance and $45.00 at the

door. Contact Gail Cascio at 564 6581, greenwaygail@aol.com.

11^th Fri., Krewe of Akewa Grand Bal, “Cajun Fairy Tale”, Krewe of Centaur Den, 351 Aero Dr.

Doors open 7:00 PM and Tableau at 8:00 PM, Attire is Black Tie, Cash Bar,

Heavy hors d’oeuvres, Live Music. Tickets $50.00. RSVP by January 7 to

sewlenny@bellsouth.net or 578 So. Main, Sibley, LA 71073. Captain, King &

Queen complimentary.

12^th Sat., Krewe of Aesclepius Grand Bal XXIII, “Wild Blue Yonder”, Hoban Hall, Lindberg

Avenue, Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. (Enter through the North Gate. ID required getting on Base.) Doors open at 7:00 PM and Tableau at 8:00 PM, Attire is Formal (masking optional), Cash Bar, Music by DJ Extraordinaire. Tickets $50.00. Please RSVP by December 20^th to Co-Captain Marsha Patterson at RinaKiel@aol.com or 5827 North Lakeshore Dr, Shreveport, LA 71107 or 318-210-8325 (cell) or (318) 990-5598 (work).

NOTE – We will have to provide a list of names in advance as part of the Base’s regulations. Our suggestion for the RSVP is [example] “Krewe of (Name) will have 4 people attending from the list of 6 names – King (name), Queen (name), Captain (name), King’s wife (name), alternate/substitute (name), alternate/substitute (name).” That way if there are changes in who is able to come, we already have the name on the list for the Base, and we know the number to expect for proper seating (arranging and assigning tables).

12^th Sat., Krewe of Artemis LAGrand Bal XI, Anything Goes!....Springhill Civic Center. Doors open

at 6:30, Tableau at 8:00 , $45 ,advanced reservation required due to city ordinance.

Live Band, BYOB, set ups provided , Heavy Hors d'oeuvres, Attire is Formal or

Twenties Costume strongly encouraged! You'll need the Password Artemis to get into

our little SpeakEasy...expect a show! For more info contact Captain Michelle

318-243-4698

18^th Fri., Krewe of Sobek Grand Bal X, Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo St,

Shreveport. Door open at 6:00 PM, Tableau at 8:00 PM, Attire is Formal,

Cash Bar, Hors d’oeuvres, Music by Con Funk Shun. Tickets $60.00. RSVP to

Toni Thibeaux at tthibe@lsuhsc.edu.

18^th Fri., Krewe of Justinian Grand Bal “That’s So Cool”, Horseshoe Riverdome, 6:30 PM,

Tableau 8:00 PM, Attire is Black Tie, Open Bar at 6:30 for a limited period of time

and then Cash Bar, Silent Auction ends at 10:00 PM, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres. Music

by Lipstick Blonde from Nashville. King, Queen, Captain complimentary, tickets $75.00.

19^th Sat., Krewe of Sobek Parade, 1:00 PM, Queensborough neighborhood, Stage at the

Fair Grounds, Single Entry is $45.00, motor and riding clubs $75.00. For more

Information contact Shirley Pierson at 222-0132.

19^th Sat., Krewe Les Femmes Mystique, Diamond Jacks, 6:30 PM, Tableau 8:00 PM, attire is

Black tie, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar, Music by “Identity Crisis”. Tickets

$65.00 til January 10^th, tickets after that date $75.00. Contact

dianetharp1@gmail.com or call 936-0340.

19^th Sat., Krewe of Centaur Grand Bal XXII, “Festival of Lights” Bossier Civic Center

620 Benton Road, Bossier City, 6:30 PM to Midnight, Attire is Black Tie/formal,

Open Bar, Heavy hor d’oeurves by Ernest Orleans, Entertainment by

Lipstick Blonde, Tickets $75.00 per person. Contact Susan Shofner 318-470-0006

Or centaurevents@gmail.com with questions.

20^th Sun., Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Jazz Brunch, Eldorado Casino, 11:00 AM, “Stars,

Guitars, and Animals from Mars” Music by Professor Pork Chops, Cocktail Attire,

Admission with reservations $45 for adults and $25 for children under 12. Tickets

At the door $50. Captain, King, Queen, complimentary or their representative.

21^st Mon., Krewe of Harambee MLK Parade, Staging at 11:00 PM in front of the Municipal

Auditorium 705 Grand Street, Parade rolls at 1:00 PM. Contact Beverly Paige at

318-470-9843.

25^th Fri., Krewe Des Ambassadeurs Grand Bal XII “Love is in the Air”, Diamond Jacks

Crown Bal Room, Doors open at 6:30 PM, Tableau at 8:00 PM. Attire is Black Tie,

Heavy Hors d’oeuvres. Cash Bar, Much by Louisiana Crossroads. Tickets $70.00

RSVP to Mahala Hutto at MHutto@unimin.com by January 9^th.

26^th Sat., Springhill Main street Mardi Gras Parade, 1:00 PM.

26^th Sat., Minden Fasching Karneval Parade, 5:30 PM.

26^th Sat., Krewe of Gemini Grand Bal XXIV, “Gemini Loves Television” Shreveport Convention

Ctr., 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Attire is formal, Open Bar, Entertainment by “Souled Out”,

Admission is $75.00. Contact 318-218-2865.

26^th Sat., Krewe of Dionysos Grand Bal, Natchitoches Events Center, 6:30PM doors open and

tableau at 7:30 PM. Live Band, attire is formal, Heavy Hors d’ouevres. Admission

$45.00 members and $75.00 for guests. Contact 318-663-1172.

27^th Sun., Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Royal Raffle. Petco 6596 Youree Drive, 2 PM. Your

pet can be royalty at the parade. Signup at event, registration is $10.00. Royal Raffle

chances are $1.00 each. Come and stuff the ballot box for your pet to be King or

Queen.

FEBRUARY

1^st Fri., Krewe of Centaur Float Loading, Centaur Krewe Den 948 N. Market Street,

Shreveport, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Dress is casual, Food and Drink available to

Purchase, Music and Dancing, entrance is free to the public. Contact Susan

Shofner at 3180470-0006 or centaurevents@gmail.com with questions.

1^st Fri., Krewe of Atlas Grand Bal V “5 Years of Mardi Gras Madness”, Diamond Jacks

Casino Resort, 6:30 PM to Midnights, Tableau at 7:30 PM, Attire is Black Tie

Optional. Silent Auction, Cash Bar, Heavy Hor d’Oeuvres. Music by “Bushrod

Jenkins”. Purchase tickets online at Kreweofatlas.org. Members $45.00,

Duke, Duchess, or Consorts $50.00. General Admission is $55.00 before

January 20^th, all tickets $60.00 after that date. RSVP by January 20^th at

Kreweofatlas@gmail.com.

2^nd Sat., Krewe of Centaur Parade

3^rd Sun., Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade, Riverview Park across from Sci-Port.

Registration at 1:30 PM and parade rolls at 3:00 PM. Cost to enter parade is $20.00.

“Stars, Guitars, and Animals from Mars”. Come join the fun.

8th Fri., Krewe of Highland Bal Masque, “Rebel! Rebel!”, Randall T. Moore Center,

Doors open at 7:00 PM tableau at 8:00 PM. Attire is Black Tie Optional or

Costumes encouraged, masks required. Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar.

Entertainment by In 10City Band. Admission is $40.00. Contact 318-773-8349.

8th Fri., Krewe of Gemini Float Loading, Gemini Krewe Den

9th Sat., Krewe of Gemini Parade

9th Sat., Krewe of Dionysos Parade, details TBA

9th Sat., Krewe of Harambee Saada Maskhara Bal XIII, “Coming to America”. Horseshoe

Riverdome, doors open at 7:00 PM, Tableau at 8:00 PM. Attire is Black Tie or

African, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar, Live Band. Tickets $75.00. Contact

Jackie White at 318-286-5878.

10^th Sun., Krewe of Highland Parade

12^th Tues., Krewe of Aesclepius hosts the Upstate Party, Aesclepius Krewe Den 1049 Grimmett

Drive, Shreveport, 7:00 PM, Dress is Casual or Mardi Gras festive (2^nd line jackets), Food and a Cash Bar, Music, $10 at the door. The Upstate Party ends with the journey to the Bridge Closing Ceremony. Contact David Duggar at 318-747-4939 or Brandi Brooks (Krewe President) at 318-426-2772 with questions.

12^th Tues., Fat Tuesday Bridge Closing Ceremony. Join us at the middle of the Texas Street

Bridge, 12 Midnight, Dress is Casual or Mardi Gras attire (2^nd line jackets). The Upstate Party ends with the journey to the Bridge Closing Ceremony. Come for the annual toasts to the end of Mardi Gras and distribution of Lenten ashes. Contact David Duggar at 318-747-4939 or Brandi Brooks (Krewe President) at 318-426-2772 with questions.

MAY

11^th Sat., Krewe of Harambee White Linen Wine Tasting, Randle T. Moore Ctr. 7:00 PM

Complimentary Wine, Cash Bar, Attire is All White, Tickets $20.00.

AUGUST

3^rd Sat., Krewe of Artemis Coronation

10^th Sat., Krewe of Les Femmes Coronation

16^th Fri., Krewe of Justinian Coronation

17^th Sat., Krewe of Centaur Midway to Mardi Gras Coronation, Shreveport Riverview Hall,

6:30 PM to Midnight. Contact Susan Shofner at 3180470-0006 or

centaurevents@gmail.com with questions.

23^rd Fri., Krewe Des Ambassadeurs Coronation XIII

24^th Sat., Krewe of Gemini Coronation