Celebrate Mardi Gras with all the New Orleans staples – tunes, gumbo and king cake.

 

Calling all Mardi Gras lovers! The annual Mardi Gras Bash is returning to the Shelby County Arts Council for another night of music, food and friends on Saturday, March 2. Each year the Black Box Theater is transformed into a New Orleans style club complete with regional blues musicians 2Blu and the Lucky Stiffs and their toe-tapping blues tunes, plus a few crowd favorites.

“This is one of our favorite performances of the year,” 2Blu front man Bruce Andrews says. “This show will get you out of your seat and dancing in the aisles.” A ticket entitles you to a complimentary reception with gumbo and king cake.

The Mardi Gras Bash will start at 7:30 p.m. The doors open at 7 p.m. for a complimentary pre-show reception. Tickets are $25 each and available at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com. Everyone is also encouraged to wear their favorite Mardi Gras masks and beads.

If you’re looking for some visual art to enjoy, check out some of the brightest up-and-coming artists at the annual High School Juried Art Exhibit opening. High school students from all over Alabama submit artwork in the hopes of being accepted to the exhibit in the categories of photography, drawing, painting, 3-D design and mixed-media. Out of nearly 300 entries submitted in 2018, only 50 were accepted to the exhibit to be judged for the best in each category and overall best in show.

Awards are then presented in the awards ceremony at the exhibit opening. Students get first-hand experience in applying for art competitions and being exhibited in a fine art gallery. This year’s High School Juried Art Exhibit will open on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. This exhibit—free and open to the public—would not be possible without support from the University of Montevallo Art Department and the UAB Department of Art and Art History.

Check the Shelby County Arts Council event calendar for the full list of upcoming Black Box Theater performances and art workshops and classes.

For information on upcoming events, visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com or call (205) 669-0044. The Shelby County Arts Council is located at 104 Mildred St., Columbiana, 35051.