Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on February 11, 2016 with a larger spread of  photos.

The yearly party that so many look forward to lived up to its reputation again. The 7th annual Mardi Gras Costume Ball, a fundraiser for Blue Mountain School (BMS), took place at Dogtown Roadhouse Saturday night, February 6th.

It was a carnival of color and high energy music that drew a crowd of masked partiers to the dance floor.

The festivities spread out into the Winter Sun clothing store, where baked goods were sold, blackjack was played and silent auction items were bid on.

Highlights of the 18+ event were a stage lightshow by VJ artist zero-G, a live auction with Tom O’Neill, a rainbow costume contest and the crowning of the Mardi Gras King and Queen – longtime BMS supporters Ed Gralla (who shouted ‘vote for Bernie!’) and Randye Schwartz.

Gyroscopic belly dancers performed three dances, adding a dramatic flair to the entertainment, which included a Gyroscopic fire dance.

Buddhagraph Spaceship and Blacksburg’s boogie-meisters, Badunkafunk, opened the show. Subject to Demolition, a band of Springhouse Community School students and BMS alumni, debuted their punk sound.

Headliner from DC, Sol Roots, and his and New Orleans style funk band, were backed by an all star line-up of local musicians that included Floydfest’s Kris Hodges, Roanoke Times music reporter Tad Dickens, Janiah Allen of The Color J and Joringel Starchild of The Kind on percussion.

Richie Ursomarso of Wildlife and Tom Sneidiker of The Kind were featured on guitar. Wendy Godley from The Kind joined the group on vocals for a couple of numbers, as did Colt and Mason Coates of Soundwave. Ralph Brown of Reptile DysFUNKshen played sax.

A Silent Auction of community donated items is a Mardi Gras fundraising tradition that supports BMS.

Some of the items that Tom O’Neill auctioned off were tickets to Yoga Jam and Floydfest, a bag a month of Red Rooster Coffee and a membership at the Floyd Fitness Center.

There was New Orleans-inspired food, including a Mardi Gras pizza served. A Kiddie Gras, providing childcare for the little ones, took place at the June Bug Center.

At the end of the night, Chris Youngblood showed off her original Mardi Gras poster by Emily Williamson that she won in the silent auction.

Can’t wait for next year!  –   See more photos and some videos HERE.