MARDI GRAS MANIA! Live from Venice Beach & Santa Monica! February 6-12

Mardi Gras Parade in Venice 2012 photo: Janet Gervers

So you think Mardi Gras, aka Fat Tuesday, is only in New Orleans? Mardi Gras Madness is also celebrated over the next week from February 6-12 in Venice Beach with a supporting role from Santa Monica!

So let’s get started here: first things first here, whatever you do, dress fun and funky! Need some ideas? Throw on some beads, feather boas, masks and costumes! All the events below are absolutely FREE! The AKFF BLOG KREWE will be appearing at all these events and are ready for laissez les bon temps roulez! (let the good times roll)

Miss Jessica photo: Janet Gervers

Wednesday February 6 – The King’s Ball
Come Party with The Windward Krewe & the Grandview Krewe at Danny’s! Live Music by Miss Jessica and The Sugar Shack Attack!
Come celebrate the coronation of our King and Queen, Johnny & Manya as we prepare for our 12th (or some say 11th) Annual Venice Beach Mardi Gras Parade! This event is Danny’s “Funky Formal” Wear something fun, festive, Funky or formal and/or zany attire suggested! Happy Hour till 8:00! Seafood Gumbo served all week from Feb 6 – Feb 12
Danny’s 23 Windward Ave, Venice 90291

Janet G from AKFF at parade photo: Steve Chelski

Saturday February 9 – Venice Beach 12th Annual Mardi Gras Parade
11:30 Join the Windward Krewe & Grandview Krewe in the parade, line up at Rose Ave parking lot at the Boardwalk
12 NOON Parade start time at Rose Ave & Venice Boardwalk
This traveling party heads south to Windward Ave, then returns north to the Venice Bistro, for the
After-Parade Party with THE GUMBO BROTHERS (New Orleans style Funk Band) feel the funk & you will start shakin’ to the groove!
Venice Bistro 323 Ocean Front Walk, 90291 2:00-5:00pm

Windward Krewe photo: Janet Gervers

Tuesday February 12 – MARDI GRAS!

South
Mardi Gras with the Gumbo Brothers 7:00 – 11:00 pm.This has been a rockin’party for the past 2 years – check it out!
The Gumbo Brothers, this Editor’s fave local band is playin’ again at this large venue with an outdoor patio.
South 3001 Wilshire blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403

Johann, Gumbo Bros. photo: Todd von Hoffman

Danny’s
Fat Tuesday Party, Feb 12, 7:30-10:30pm
Featuring a 2nd line, costumes and traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras Music performed by VenicEvidence.
Danny’s 23 Windward Ave, Venice 90291

Basement Tavern & the Victorian with Chris Hawley and The Rollers
Happy Hour out on the patio from 5-8pm (there are heat lamps) with music from Chris Hawley
Basement Tavern 9 pm – 1 am (21+) enter from Victorian or outside by parking lot
Basement Tavern & Victorian 2640 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

It’s All About Venice!