CAYA; T-8 days - Bon Ton! You are Invited to the Haberdashery's 11th Annual Mardi Gras Extravaganza on March 4th!

Dear Lost Souls,

It's time to turn it up to 11! You are cordially and officially invited to join us for our 11th annual Fête Extravaganza, celebrating the highpoint of the Haberdashery's friscal year! Of course, Cocktail Hour is also on for this Friday evening; usual time and place ... but with only 8 days to go, be sure focus on March 4th! ... when Haberdites from near and far will gather to pay homage to the royalty of New Orleans Carnival with a fanfare of great live music and Cajun cuisine! Here are some details to whet your appetite!

Friday, March 3rd

• 7:30pm – 12:00am – The Taming of the Roux (CAYA Cocktail Hour, Saturday prep, and a Cajun cooking primer) 

Saturday, March 4th

• 11:00am – 10:00pm – all-day Mardi Gras Party including live music jams, DJ Mr. Fabulous, & plenty-o good food . . . and Lagniappe!
• (3:00pm – 7:00pm) – Primary period of feasting! 

COME JOIN THE CAYA GUMBO!

Gumbo is not just a dish . . . it is a ménage of flavors, people and ideas. Come experience the Haberdashery's brand of social alchemy and Loooousiana hospitality first hand. We already have an outstanding lineup of live music planned, but musicians should be sure to bring along your instruments! We are scheduling sunny weather and there will be lots of live music jamming in the back courtyard. DJ Mr. Fabulous will also be on hand to spice up the mix.

WARNING: Please be prepared to shake your booty . . . this is not a spectator sport.

DETAILED SCHEDULE:

• Friday evening, March 3rd: There will be Friday Night Cocktail Hour as usual. For those of you interested in the Festival of the Roux, and other cooking secrets from The Big Easy, this is the time to come. Chop, chop chop!! WARNING: Friday night can be detrimental to Saturday . . . and should be taken in moderation, particularly if your intent is a full-on Saturday.
• Saturday, March 4th: This is an all day affair . . . give or take a day . . . so feel free to come and go as you please; children are more than welcome; particularly during the daylight hours (before storytime). In the morning, beginning whenever we crawl out of bed, there will be Mimosas, Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys for those that venture out before noon . . . or whenever. We will start the primary serving of food in the mid-afternoon. There will be the usual fair of Gumbo, Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice, etc. . . . whenever they are ready . . . and of course, lagniappe . . . yea, yea . . . and there will be LOTS of NOLA Bread Puddin' for the ladies. 

WHAT TO BRING: . . . Hurricanes are in the forecast and we will also have a full keg of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale  . . . but your favorite beverage contribution is much appreciated, so please bring along other libations to share (we will have coolers and ice on hand). There will copious amounts of food, beads, and Hurricanes. There will also be plenty 'o munchies, but if you are feeling particularly motivated, feel free to add a little something extra (lagniappe!)! . . . but, for GOD SAKE, please take home your beads!!! They are our Mardi Gras gift to you!!

• Musicians! - Bring your instruments. There will be live music galore!
• Face painters! - bring your paints . . . nothing says Mardi Gras like some beautiful painted people!
• Amateur photographers! - bring your cameras . . . there will lots of colorful scenes to record!

DRESS CODE: Well! . . . there is no dress code, and you can wear whatever the hell you want . . . but this IS Mardi Gras . . . so festive attire is appropriate! In general, this could mean carnival masks, and/or your favorite colorful wig . . . pull out that old sequined party dress (e.g. flapper style), a boa, feather tiara . . . a dapper hat or sport coat . . . Seersucker is always encouraged! HOPPE style! . . . or just show up in jeans and a t-shirt!!!! . . . the point is to relax and have a good time. We will have lots of beads and other parade trinkets on hand to accessorize.

As always, please feel free to stop by for a quickie . . . on Friday or Saturday; or to linger indefinitely.

Yours!

Los Cabañeros

!!Please drink responsibly and arrange for safe transportation !! . . . your well-being is our first priority!

P.S. This week's Haberdashery Flashback takes us back to March 5th, 2003; CAYA - Mardi Gras 2003

P.S.S. Be sure to visit the CAYA blog and register for updates: caya20.blogspot.com

The Haberdashery is located at:
2124 5th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
T: 510.229.2970