Local causes to benefit from Mardi Gras

A group of Kinvara musicians will bring a taste of the Americas to the South Galway village on St Valentine’s weekend.
Kinvara Area Music Collective is holding this year’s Mardi Gras at the Kinvara Community Centre on Saturday, February 13.
Every year, KAM throws a Mardi Gras party to celebrate its birthday, as a community event with music, dancing, food, drink and optional fancy dress to raise funds for a local cause. This year’s party is again a charity event, featuring three live bands and all proceeds will go to South Galway Flood Relief and the Gort Family Resource Centre.
While the traditional Mardi Gras originated in New Orleans, KAM are finding ways to make it their own. The event starts at 8pm.
“Last year’s event was a great success with five bands, Louisiana chicken gumbo, face painting, a licensed bar and lots of dancing.
“This year we aim to carry on that good-time carnival tradition, with three live bands, with the emphasis firmly on music you can dance to, finger lickin’ carnival food, a fancy dress competition and a full bar, in an intimate table set venue, complete with dance floor,” said Pete Lamb, spokesman for the event.
The New Orleans Mardi Gras is a carnival involving parties, parades, music and general merriment. The carnival traditionally begins on January 6 and the festivities climax on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, more familiarly known to us as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.
It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter, since the actual date of Easter changes yearly, Mardi Gras can occur on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9. Or in the case of the Kinvara Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 13.
“Providing the beats to move your feet this year, we have Awsum Adudu, an Afro-Funk band hailing from Gort. These boys have been on the scene for a number of years and we are delighted to have them make their KAM debut at the Mardi Gras,” Pete outlined.
The organising committee are especially looking forward to seeing people from neighbouring Gort at the event this year.
“We would like to extend a warm welcome to all members of the Gort and surrounding community. Come on down and support your local boys and, more importantly, join the fun,” he continued.
“Even closer to home we have the Kinvara-based Analogue Band, featuring a bunch of well-known local musicians who have put together this country and traditional rock band, also making their debut KAM appearance. Two debut bands aren’t fresh enough so we decided to make it three. Gone To Grass is a locally-based Bluegrass band, presenting a lively mix of driving traditional bluegrass tunes and original Americana material,” Pete explained.
There will be a fancy dress parade on the night with prizes for the best efforts.
“It’s been a harsh winter; let’s banish the winter blues for a night, kick off the wellies and pull on the dancing shoes. Mardi Gras is a fun, family-friendly event held in a community centre and featuring local musicians and volunteers coming together to put on an event in aid of local causes.
“But you don’t have to be local to come and join the fun. Where else are you going to get this much fun for so little money and get the feel good factor of knowing that your good night out is also aiding Galway flood victims and the local Family Resource Centre?” Pete concluded.
Tickets are available in advance from Kam, Open Sesame in Gort on 091 632778, Gort Credit Union on 091 631250, Kinvara Credit Union on 091 637154 and at the Gort Family Resource Centre on 091 630902.
More details are available on the KAM website, www.kamcollective.com.