Although New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration, Fat Tuesday is celebrated worldwide. In Rio it’s Carnival, Germany it’s Fasching, and here in Los Angeles, dedicated revelers can find fellow merrymakers if they know where to look. Here are a few suggestions of how to celebrate around greater Los Angeles.
Farmers Market Mardi Gras–The party starts at noon on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10, with parades, costume contests and music. Saturday night, Grammy nominee Lisa Haley & the Zydekats will play starting at 6 pm. Then on the day itself, Tuesday, Feb. 12, starting at 6:30, Eddie Baytos and the Nervis Bros. provide the entertainment. 6333 West 3rd St., Los Angeles. http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101527824990-402/Mardi+Gras+Flyer.pdf
Long Beach Village Mardi Gras—Saturday, Feb. 9 at Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor, Mardi Gras returns to Long Beach. The parade starts at 3 PM in front of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The celebration will include music, art, costumes, stilt-walkers, etc. This free event is promised to go on, rain or shine.
Amoeba Music on Sunset–Amoeba Music will host its annual Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 12. The party starts at 2:00 PM and there will be music, beads, and goodies for the kids. The parade starts at 4:30 PM and everyone is encouraged to bring a musical instrument and play “When the Saints Go Marching In.” There’s no charge for this event, and everyone is welcome. 6400 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028.
Ragin’ Cajun Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras—Tuesday, Feb. 12, Cajun Chef Steven Domingue takes over the Amalfi Restaurant to host a Mardi Gras party. Lisa Haley & the Zydekats will provide live music. 143 North La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles.
The Federal Bar Mardi Gras Party— Saturday, Feb. 9, The Federal Bar will host a Mardi Gras celebration with Catahoula, a Cajun-flavored seven-piece swamp rock band. Even if you can’t make the Saturday show, the New Orleans cuisine will be offered now through Tuesday (Fat Tuesday), February 12, including beignets, jambalaya ($15), and peel & eat crawfish boil ($18) with corn, boiled potatoes and drawn butter, plus Abita beer straight from their Louisiana brewery, SOS Pils, Turbo Dog Restoration Pale Ale, Jockamo IPA, Vanilla Double Dog and Mardi Gras Bock. North Hollywood. 5303 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood.
King Cake— If you’re hosting your own Mardi Gras party, or would just like a taste of a New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition, check out King Cake. This colorful wreath-shaped cake has a plastic baby Jesus baked into it. Whoever finds the baby Jesus in their slice, hosts the next party. Last year I saw lots of posts asking where to find King Cake in Los Angeles, but no answers. As a public service to partiers, here are two local Los Angeles bakeries where you can get King Cake: Porto’s Bakery and Cafe in Burbank, Glendale and Downey, and New Orleans Sweet Treats in Los Angeles.
