Friday, June 26, 2009

Mountainside Mardi Gras Heading to Red Rocks

Experience Mardi Gras a mile above sea level on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 as For/Sure Productions presents the first annual Mountainside Mardi Gras music festival.


Grammy Award-winning recording artist Dr. John is headlining the festival of multiple New Orleans-based acts including The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk.

“We are truly focused on bringing the sights, sounds, flavor and flair of the New Orleans Mardi Gras to the amphitheater,” said For/Sure president, Trevor Jones. “We want Coloradans to feel like they are in the Big Easy and New Orleanians to feel at home.”


The full artist line-up includes George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners, Papa Grows Funk, Big Sam's Funky Nation and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. Festival organizers encourage concert-goers to dress up in Mardi Gras inspired garb, incorporating the traditional green, purple and gold colors as well as beads, masks and feathers. The Krewe of Oak from New Orleans and an authentic brass band will roam the amphitheater as buskers, creating a mini-parade route as they hand out beads and medallions.


Jones, who is a Denver native, came up with the idea for the festival after attending Tulane University. “I really fell in love with New Orleans and its music. I wanted to spread that vibe around—especially to my home music scene in Denver,” Jones said.


Denver based sponsors include KBCO Radio and Westword as well as Louisiana’s own Abita Brewing Company. A portion of profits will go directly to the Tipitina’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the local music community and supporting public school music programs in Louisiana.

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