While there are many exclusive masked balls every Mardi Gras for krewes that if you’re not born into, you can pretty much forget about ever being a member of, there are plenty of sassy marching clubs that host Mardi Gras balls open to everyone. Lucky for us, the trifecta of these fundraiser balls is this weekend! In addition is the OffBeat Magazine Best of the Beat Awards Party with a fantastically diverse lineup. Last but certainly not least is the New Orleans Comic Con, otherwise known as Wizard World. Get ready for the weekend, New Orleans!
Friday, January 27:
The 610 Stompers in action! (Photo courtesy of www.610stompers.com)
1. Sweet 610 Dubutante Ball 2: Electric Boogaloo – The men responsible for the best performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this year as well as making anyone who is lucky enough to see them in action pass out from laughter or else swoon from their astounding choreography are the 610 Stompers. The Stompers are hosting their Mardi Gras fundraising ball at the Sugar Mill in the Warehouse District from 8 – 12 p.m. Attendees should wear their best neon; white washed, tight rolled jeans and plenty of obnoxious accessories to channel Breakin’ dancers Ozone and Turbo for the 80’s Electric Boogaloo theme. And to think all this fun, as well as food from Drago’s, Donald Link, Deanie’s and more, will go towards benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, this is event is not to be missed. Admission is $40 in advance and $50 at the door.
2. Camel Toe Lady Steppers Toe-Down – Born out of a Halloween joke in 2003, the Camel Toe Lady Steppers, one of the cutest and pinkest New Orleans walking krewes, are throwing their eighth annual Mardi Gras fundraiser called the Best Little Toe-Down at Tipitina’s. The talent lineup is outstanding, featuring The Bingo! Show, Fleur de Tease and of course the Lady Steppers themselves. Admission is $20 and all proceeds go to the Roots of Music program for music education in New Orleans public schools.
3. OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards – Find out who is the Best of the Beat in each New Orleans music category at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards Party. The lineup is stupid good, with Lifetime Achievement winner George Porter, Jr. headlining with the infectious GIVERS of Lafayette, bounce queen Big Freedia, Cajun rockers Lost Bayou Ramblers and New Orleans favorites Glen David Andrews, Soul Rebels and Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses. Tickets are $30 until Thursday, Jan. 16 and $35 at the door. The music starts at 6 p.m. and the Awards Ceremony is at 8 p.m. at Generations Hall.
Saturday, January 28:
4. Pussyfooters Blush Ball – The oldest of the marching clubs hosting Mardi Gras balls this weekend is the ass-kicking, girl-powered Pussyfooters. Their annual Blush Ball fundraiser is at The Foundry in the Warehouse District this year, featuring performances by Big Sam’s Funky Nation, DJ Brice Nice and the Pussyfooters. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the door and all proceeds go to the Metro Center for Women and Children (METRO). The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes to 1 a.m.
Sunday, January 29:
5. Wizard World – New Orleans science fiction freaks and geeks, this is the moment you’ve all been waiting for: Wizard World, the New Orleans Comic Con. The pop culture event of the season begins on Saturday and continues through Sunday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Star Trek and Spider Man fans will be ecstatic to meet William Shatner and Stan Lee who will be in attendance, as well as James Marsters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sean Patrick Flanery, Kevin Sorbo and many other super heroes and villains of stage and film. Single day tickets and packages can be purchased online.
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