Mardi Gras 2008 archive

And a good time was had by all!

Photo by Dana Villalas

Thanks to everyone that came out and joined in the fun!

Hosted in cooperation with Chatham Arts Council and Chatham Marketplace.
Proceeds to benefit the Abundance Foundation and ChathamArts Council.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the event.

Note: Tickets purchased online will be at “Will Call” the night of the event under the name of the person who purchased the tickets

Thank you to our current sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible!! They are: Capital Bank, Chatham Homes, Chatham Mills, Body Therapy Institute, The Economic Development Corporation, Pittsboro Trek Express, Preston Developers, The Chatham Marketplace, BB&T, and Beggars & Choosers!!

Planned Events

We can’t wait for you to join us for the mayhem and merriment this year. The event features:

Live Zydeco by the Unkown Tongues. You may have seen them at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, where they were the talk of the fete.

Music by local blues, funk, and cajun greats, Howie DeWitt

• Cajun Food! Cash Bar! Silent Auction!
• Guest Appearances!
• Crazy Costumes!
• Photo Booth (think prom circa 1987 thanks to Jessica Benton Photography!
• DANCING!!!!!See you in feathers and top hats!
  AND TO GET READY: Zydeco Dance Lessons every Monday Night in February from 7 – 8 pm at the Briar Chapel Clubhouse Dance Studio. Instructor: Bruce Gillooly, who boasts over 50 years of instructional and professional dance experience! $10 per person. To register, email info@chathamarts.org and list “dance lessons” in the subject line.

  What people have said about last year’s Mardi Gras…

  “The ball was the most fun party I have been to for years.” – Mary Bastin, journalist

  “All of our friends that we invited along thanked us time and again for letting them know about this great event that we all plan on making an annual event on our calendars from now on. It’s too bad that Mardi Gras is only once a year!” – Joshua Cohen, First Annual Mardi Gras Honorary King & Pittsboro Physical Therapist (”I’ll be back next year to defend my crown!“)

  “Everyone wants more events like this. Everyone wants to be a part of the Pittsboro Mardi Gras now” – Vernon Mulanix, owner of Aria Day Spa in Pittsboro

  “Perhaps my personal favorite thing about Mardi Gras Masquerade was watching even the most over-worked public officials dance, laugh, relax, and reveal a side of themselves not allowed during their long working hours.” – Molly Matlock, ChathamArts

  Pam Smith says that people have been visiting Beggars and Choosers to pick out their 2009 Mardi Gras Garb since late September. So, get to Beggars and Choosers Pronto!

  $30.00 – 1 Ticket $60.00 – 2 Tickets $90.00 – 3 Tickets $120.00 – 4 Tickets $150.00 – 5 Tickets $300.00 – 10 Tickets $450.00 – 15 Tickets $600.00 – 20 Tickets

  Note: your tickets will be at “Will Call” the night of the event under the name of the person who purchased the tickets

  About the Abundance Foundation

  The Abundance Foundation champions vibrant, diverse and innovative ideas surrounding renewable energy, local food systems, and community-aware businesses that create abundance and bring people together, and educates and empowers others to do the same. In a changing world, we help connect the dots.

  The way they do this is through their sustainable workshop series and both business and children’s sustainability and energy tours.

  They also have ongoing programs to get things done around local food and renewable energy such as, the local Pittsboro Mural Project, Feed the Farm with Whole Foods; a fund to help NC sustainable farms in crisis. Seed Saving and the Abundance Pepper is a program that they are extremely proud of for 2008 and going into 2009. Working with Master Farmer Doug Jones on seed saving for our climate here and creating the robust and tasty Abundance Pepper variety. The Abundance Foundation partners with Piedmont Biofuels Coop on their intern program and with helping to educate the public on conservation and renewable fuels. Shakori Hills and The Abundance Foundation are putting in a 10kilowatt solar array to make Shakori Hills carbon neutral. The list goes on and on. Check out their website for more programs, partnerships and breaking news: Mardi Gras represents one of their primary fundraising outlets for each of these non-profits. Please spread the word.

  About ChathamArts programs and accomplishments

  In 2007-2008, ChathamArts:

  • Provided more than 1,000 youth with arts-in-education classroom curricula proven to reduce drop out rates, bridge the achievement gap; and increase youth participation in community service, science fairs, and academic achievement./li>
  • Granted over $10,000 to local artists and non-profit agencies through the NC Arts Council.
  • Created a vibrant place to work and live by bringing quality monthly cultural events to over 11,000 area residents.
  • Performed a key role in economic revitalization by attracting tourists seeking authentic local art to our newly renovated gallery that hosts 12 exhibits and more than 90 artists per year.

  In 2009, we will be additionally offering:

  • The state arts council’s cARTwheels program, which brings the NC Opera to Chatham County Schools! They’ll be tailoring The Barber of Seville to incorporate additional educational components.
  • The Walltown Children’s Theatre Artist Residency which uses dramtic arts to teach English, Spanish, ESL, hisory, and culture. The residency culminates in a world class stage performance spoken all in Spanish (with English subtitles on a big screen). Walltown has been featured nationally on NPR and via many other national media outlets.
  • An African American Film Forum on March 21 – 22. Live Music, 5 Films, Panel Discussions, & Food.
  • Dance Classes! Art Classes! And Afterschool Art Programs for Youth!