On Saturday night March 30, the inaugural Midwest Mardi Gras Mayor’s Ball and After Party will be held at the Canterbury Park Event and Expo Center in Shakopee, promising a memorable night of carnival.
It comes complete with a Cajun food spread, (and king cake, of course!) live music, decorations, surprises and celebrities, with Sheletta Brundidge as the MC for the night.
“This is a labor of love,” explained Michael Batiste, Jr., whose TC Go Live company is producing the festivities. “Mardi Gras has always been a community unifier no matter your race, religion, politics affiliation, socioeconomic status. None of that matters. Put your mask on, be you and have fun.”
Batiste and his family want to share their rich cultural Mardi Gras tradition with Minnesotans. They will welcome other transplants from the south who sorely miss the annual carnival and want to reconnect with their roots as well as locals who have never experienced Mardi Gras but have always wanted to.
“My parents Mike and Katie and myself are native Louisiana people. We have been here the better part of three decades and we’ve said, where’s the Mardi Gras tradition?” he said.
They are creating an evening that begins at 7 pm with a meet-and-greet social hour. That will be followed with authentic food; Batiste is partnering with chefs Mateo Mackbee and Erin Lucas from the restaurant Krewe in St Joseph, MN. The menu will feature jambalaya with chicken and sausage, red beans and rice with smoked turkey legs, maque choux, cornbread and king cake.
The adults-only evening will also highlight performing arts with Emerald Essence, a 360 video booth, dancing to the music of the MVP Band and more.
In the days leading up to the event, ticket prices have been slashed to $45, with VIP tickets selling for $70. To purchase tickets you can click here.
“In keeping with custom we are calling this the Mayor’s Ball but you don’t have to be a politician. In Mardi Gras tradition, a Mayor’s Ball is where all the social organizations do their thing,” Batiste said.
The anticipation for the evening is building among people planning to attend.
“I’m excited because we’re going to have the food, the beads, the culture, the whole vibe here in Minnesota,” enthused Brundidge, a Texas native and former Louisiana resident. “Every year I see the video and social media posts of my friends and family celebrating Mardi Gras, but it’s smack dab in the middle of the week and I can’t get to New Orleans. I’ve been wanting it for myself and now I’ve got it!”
Batiste and TC Go Live are already making ambitious plans to expand their Midwest Mardi Gras and make it an annual event.
“In 2025 and beyond, we will pair the Mayor’s Ball with three day festival each year, with a full parade, battle of the bands, floats, fun runs for children and a 5K and 10K run, a celebrity cook-off and more,” Batiste promised.
“We feel this unifying event is much needed in the world we live in right now,” he added.
For more information go here.
2024 Inaugural Midwest Mardi Gras Mayor’s Ball and After Party
Saturday, March 30
7:00 p.m. to midnight
Canterbury Park Event and Expo Center
1100 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379