Dear Lost Souls,
Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler! . . . at the Leap Year Mardi Gras 'That Never Was';
Saturday, February 29th, 12 pm - 12am
You are cordially and officially invited to The Haberdashery's annual Mardi Gras Fête! Come join your fellow Haberdites from near and far as we gather to toast the highpoint of the Haberdashery's calendar of frivolity, and pay homage to the royalty of New Orleans Carnival with a fanfare of epic live music and Cajun cuisine!
NOTE, This year is invitation only . . . to try to manage the crowds a bit better . . . so please let us know if there is someone special that you would like to bring along who may not be included on this mailing list.
L'horaire:
Friday, February 28th
• 7:30pm – 12:00am – The Taming of the Roux (CAYA Cocktail Hour, Saturday prep, decorating, and a Cajun cooking primer)
Saturday, February 29th
• 11:00am – 12:00pm – all-day Mardi Gras Party including live music jams, DJ Mr. Fabulous, & plenty-o good food . . . and Lagniappe!
• 2:00pm - The Horribles Bluegrass band will launch the live music line up on the scène de jardin
• 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 are scheduling sunny weather and there will be lots of live music in the back courtyard. DJ Mr. Fabulous will also be on hand to spice up the mix. This year we have a particularly strong lineup of live music planned, but musicians be sure to bring along your instruments for the informal jams that inevitably pop up.
WARNING: Be prepared to shake your booty . . . this is not a spectator sport.
DETAILED SCHEDULE:
• Friday evening, February 28th There will be Friday Night Cocktail Hour as usual. For those of you interested in the The Taming of the Roux, and other cooking secrets from The Big Easy, this is the time to come. We will also be decorating.
• Saturday, February 29th: 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 story time). 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: There will be copious amounts of cajun food, beads, and Hurricanes. There will also be plenty of munchies, but if you are feeling particularly motivated to bring a New Orleans themed dessert, please let us know, so we can plan accordingly ... but otherwise no food contributions are necessary.
. . . Hurricanes are in the forecast! Your favorite beverage contribution is much appreciated (we will have coolers and ice on hand), and there will be plenty of beer on tap. Jim Larson and Billy Rhyne will each be contributing a 5 gallon keg of beer. Let us know if you would like to contribute to a third keg (contact Greg & Anto to coordinate).
. . . and for GOD SAKE, please take home your commemorative 2020 Mardi Gras cup and your selected beads as our gift to you!!
What else?:
• Amateur film makers and/or photographers! - bring your cameras . . . there will lots of colorful scenes and we would love to set up a live cam and/or videos for Haberdites around the globe to enjoy vicariously.
• Face painters! - bring your paints . . . nothing says Mardi Gras like some beautiful painted people!
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 anything from animal onesies to 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 with which 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; Haberdashery 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
