ART/WNY to Host Mardi Gras Celebration

The American Repertory Theater of WNY kicks off the second half of the 2014-15 season with the 8th annual Mardi Gras celebration with a new twist in the evening's entertainment. This celebration brings Poetry Slam with Beads that will feature regional urban poets 10k, Ben Brindise, Jimmie Byrd, Bo Brooks, Team Finks, Dana Ingerbreston, Danielle Johnson, Lazyrus, Solomon and Brandon Williamson as all bring their writing talent to an evening of gumbo, good times a rollin', beads a flyin', rice & beans and the soul-funkrock sounds of Child of Folly. And, of course, the ART/WNY Mardi Gras celebration wouldn't be complete without the traditional readings from the classic Louisiana book of folk-tales GUMBO YA YA. Festivities are at Bittner Hall, 16 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo NY, open at 7 pm with performances beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 at the door but can be purchase online for $20.

This talented group of urban poetry slammers are part of the Game Night crew who perform throughout the WNY region and beyond. Their contemporary writing style cuts through the stale and overly pretentious poetry and prose found in English 101 appreciation for poetry textbooks with each poet bringing their works to life through being in the moment of each word that is spoken. This combination of spoken word and passion mixed with an unique environment these poets create make a perfect relationship between poetry and theater and perfect for a night of celebration the spirit of Mardi Gras.

The evening will also feature a set from Buffalo's Child of Folly. Founded in 2012, the band includes Beau "LA" Brooks on piano/keyboard and vocals, Colin Papendick on bass guitar, Tony Parisi on drums and Kyle Schmidt on lead guitar. Described by their Facebook page, the group's musical style consists primarily of Rock as well as elements from other genres such as Blues, Funk and Trip-hop. They embrace and intertwine different genres to create a unique style that unifies musical experimentation taking influence from Progressive, Alternative, and Funky-Psychedelic Rock groups such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. They also reach back to the soulful start of Rock 'n Roll with influences like Ray Charles and Tom Waits. ART/WNY's Mardi Gras Celebration would not be complete without the traditional readings from the classic compilations of strange tales, ghost stories and Louisiana antidotes in GUMBO YA YA. Scheduled for the evening is the classic tale of the New Orleans' ladies of pleasure, The Baby Dolls, the history of the Indian Crews and their parading and the crowning of the great Zulu King on Fat Tuesday. These tales, with a hot bowl of rice & beans, put you down on Canal Street with beads flyin' and drinks be havin'.

Laissez les bon temp roulez at Bittner Hall on February 13th with doors opening at 7 pm and the "Poetry Slam with Beads" portion of the evening beginning at 8 pm. The price is $25 which includes a choice between a bowl of turkey gumbo file or spicy rice & beans.

For more information on the event please visit www.artofwny.org or call the ART/WNY box-office at 634-1102 (9 am to 4 pm, Mon to Fri). To order online tickets, please visit http://artmardigras2015.bpt.me (service charge added).