"Well helloooo Durham! Mardi Gras is back on Fat Tuesday, March 5. The area's oldest Mardi Gras is still the biggest, still the best (sez us!) and still totally free and open to everyone! We've got 5 stages of great music, dancing, festivities, food and entertainment. In the great local tradition we'll be mixing our own kind of NC musical gumbo. It's got a healthy portion of New Orleans, a dash of Cajun spice, and a big ole ladle of Durm.
This year we are super excited to kick of the festivities with a local star who's made it so big we don't get to see him around so much anymore: Phil Cook. Phil is kind of like Durham Mardi Gras incarnate, steeped in the New Orleans tradition while firmly rooted to his Durham home. Fans have followed Phil as a member of Hiss Golden Messenger, Megafaun and in his solo career.
As the Big Day approaches we be filling you in on all the details. We know you have questions about food, parading, costumes and the different musical acts. We'll do little features on all of them. In the meantime, go on now, get that costume ready!
Here's the music program for this year:
Motorco (723 Rigsbee Av)
7:30 - 8:45 Phil Cook
9:15 - ??? The Bulltown Strutters
Blue Note Grill (709 Washington St)
8:00 - 9:15 Ragweed Brass
9:45 - 11:00 Lester Coalbanks & the Seven Sorrows
Fullsteam (726 Rigsbee Av)
8:30 - 9:45 Mystery Hillbillies
10:00 - 11:15 Ally J
The Pit (321 W Geer St)
8:00 - 9:15 Shamu Garcon
9:30 - 10:45 Cajammers
The Bar (711 Rigsbee Av)
9:30 The Mardi Gras Drag Show"