Mardi Gras San Francisco Style kicks off in Fillmore Plaza

‘Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore’ returns with free blues concert and 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 Fundraiser, 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 and 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.

Fat-Tuesday-in-Fillmore, Mardi Gras San Francisco Style kicks off in Fillmore Plaza, Culture Currents 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 and 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 and Jazz from Sheba Piano Lounge. Brooklyn Circus is offering a 10 percent 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.

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 Fundraiser, Mardi Gras San Francisco Style – Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore on Tuesday, March 4.

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 at The Village Project, 2097 Turk St. and at www.mardigrassanfrancisco.com or www.eventbrite.com.

The proceeds from this event will help to maintain the Village Project’s free after-school program, continue our free community and family events, i.e., Kwanzaa, A Senior Moment, Grilling in the ‘Mo, as well as our free summer enrichment all day camp for underserved youth.

The Village Project and Adrian Williams can be reached at awilliamsassoc@yahoo.com, 2097 Turk St., San Francisco, CA 94115, or 415-424-2980. Visit www.thevillageprojectsf.org