Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on February 15, 2018 with a variation of photos.

The 9th annual Floyd Mardi Gras to benefit Blue Mountain School (BMS) was a celebration to remember. The Mystic Witches dance troupe opened the Saturday night event with a Conga Line Dance up-and-down the aisles of Dogtown Roadhouse.  Downstairs in the Winter Sun Building, guests enjoyed a Krewe du Bleu Dinner of the traditional New Orleans fare, prepared by chef Richard Perry.

Guests browsed through a variety of donated items for the school’s silent auction in another downstairs room.  The blackjack table and a decorated photo booth were back.  A lounge stage featured acoustic music and a magic show.  Everything sparkled with lights.

Upstairs, bands featured on the main stage included Seph Custer, Jordan Harman, Flirting with Chemicals, Music Road Company and Sol Roots.  There was a lighted hoop show, a costume contest, a Gyroscopic dance performance and the annual crowning of the King and Queen, a much anticipated and well-kept secret of the Mardi Gras festivities.

Luke Staengl, one of the founders of Blue Mountain School and a past Mardi Gras King, introduced a surprise visitor. Candidate for U.S. Congress Anthony Flaccevento, who  was in town for a speaking engagement at the Floyd EcoVillage, greeted the crowd and briefly shared his message of building the economy from the bottom up and not having to choose between jobs and the environment.

Mardi Gras MC Shamama (Siobhan Lowe) hammed it up and teased the audience, but she was serious when she spoke about the event raising money for BMS scholarships and reduced tuitions.  “I know you want to see these children receive an education that teaches them about themselves, their community, the planet and how to be a better human being,” she said from the stage. “Show your love for this town!” she boomed.

“It’s always been a community event but this year it took a lot more people to pull it off,” said  BMS director Shelly Fox. “We were able to get different people involved who had different gifts to offer.” She noted that after eight years Jamie Reygle has retired from the position of the event coordinator, although he was on site as a volunteer.

Fittingly, Reygle was crowned the King of this year’s court.  Barbara Gillespie, who played on stage as a member of Flirting with Chemicals and danced with Gyroscopic, was honored as Queen.  She thanked the late Tom Ryan for conceiving of the Mardi Gras fundraiser after receiving her crown.  – Colleen Redman

Check out more about the Floyd Mardi Gras at This is What Happens When You Flirt with Chemicals HERE. 

Read about past Mardi Gras by searching “Floyd Mardi Gras” in my blog search box.

Sol Roots was joined by Lagniappe, an all-star line-up of local musicians.