A loose coalition of mystic societies are planning a Durham Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration on Feb. 21, aka Fat Tuesday. Parade participants should meet before 7 p.m. at Major, the bull stationed at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St. The parade, which will be on the sidewalk, will end on Rigsbee Street at Motorco Music Hall and Fullsteam Brewery. Krewe’s, such as the Banished Fool’s Durham Krewe and the Mystic Order of Socratic Monkeys (aka MOSM), are assembling their themes and costumes.
Durham Mardi Gras Group hopes others will take notice and assemble krewe’s and costumes.One MOSM member (membership is secret) described the Durham parade as a respite from the toll of callous politics, war and the Great Recession as young and old, rich and poor are equalized in the masked Mardi Gras anonymity and the pursuit of folly.
The Bulltown Strutters, a community band that inspires revelry with every beat, will lead the Feb. 21 sidewalk parade with their vivacious music and songs. The march will end and the celebration will continue on Rigsbee Street.
“This should be the beginning of a tradition that is bigger than any one person or bar. This is about Durham rocking harder than anyone, anywhere,” says the Mardi Gras event’s facebook page description. “This is about the Durham family coming together for a night of fun and revelry.”
To help residents prepare for the festivities Happymess Art Studio is hosting two opportunities to customize a mask, a parasol, and other accessories used in the annual tradition. On Saturday Happymess is hosting a “DIY Masquerade: Prepare for the Bull City Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at its arts studio, 718 Iredell Street.
The party will include Mardi Gras music, king cake, and the début of the unofficial local Mardi Gras libation the “Durhacain.” A $5 donation gets you in the door and gives you access to materials--glitter, beads, trinkets-- and glue guns. Masks to decorate will be available for purchase, as will a limited number of parasols.
On Feb. 19 Happymess will bring the Do-It-Yourself Masquerade to Motorco’s DtownMarket from noon to 5 p.m. Fullsteam is hosting a decorating party before the parade.
For more information about the Mardi Gras celebration go to the facebook event page.
Sounds like great fun
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