ANNUAL CAJUN & ZYDECO MARDI GRAS BALL RETURNS TO RHODES-ON-THE-PAWTUXET FOR 19th YEAR
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 5! One of the only authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras celebrations in southern New England - bringing in patrons from all over the Northeast - the Cajun & Zydeco Mardi Gras Ball returns for its 19th year at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 6:00 pm to midnight. Featured bands include Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, and Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners. Adding to the festive atmosphere will be the Hot Tamale Brass Band.
The ball features a costume contest with cash prizes in a variety of categories including best group, best couple, best individual and a Grand Prize of $250 for best overall costume. There will be a cash bar and Cajun & Creole cuisine by Rhode Island’s renowned Chili Brothers, the most popular food vendor at the Rhythm & Roots Festival every year, serving up their famous jambalaya, blackened scallops, and shrimp etouffee among other dishes.
EVENT INFO:
Cajun & Zydeco Mardi Gras Ball, Saturday, March 5, 2011
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Pl, Cranston, RI 02905
6:00 pm – midnight
Featuring: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, Hot Tamale Brass Band
Info: 401-783-3926 or www.mardigrasri.com Tickets purchased on line at www.mardigrasri.com or by mail with SASE to Lagniappe Productions, 51 White Oak Ct, Wakefield, RI 02879
$30 Advance, $40 Door; Table of Ten: $325 (Advance only) It wouldn’t be an official Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet Mardi Gras celebration without Lafayette, Lousiana’s Grammy nominated Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys who rock the crowd with their pumping hybrid of Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop. The dance floor is always filled when Steve and company are on stage. The band will be armed with new songs as they celebrate the release of their new CD, Grand Isle
(release date: Feb 22nd).
It’ll be a one-two punch with the jazz and funk infused zydeco of CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. CJ has been described as “attacking the accordion with the tension and drive of James Brown” and has played on albums by Paul Simon & the Gin Blossoms among others. CJ and the band have appeared on the Jon Stewart show, CNN and VH-1.
With an encyclopedic repertoire of genres including zydeco, Cajun, R&B, and blues, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners promise to deliver the Louisiana tradition of foot stompin’ party music. Accompanying the costume parade of contestants and contributing to the overall party atmosphere will be the Hot Tamale Brass Band. It’s the Mardi Gras celebration that heats up the New England winter.
