NOLAdelphia: Mardi Gras happenings in Philly

Some may think February’s biggest holiday is Valentine’s Day, but for those who love to party then your celebration of choice is probably Mardi Gras! This upcoming week, Philadelphia will be sizzling with Cajun flavored festivities.

From Jambalaya cooking workshops, to strutting parades, NOLA spirit will be prominent in the City of Brotherly Love.

Beads will fly on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Xfinity Live! (1100 Pattison Ave.) during their Mardi Gras party at 8 p.m. Guests can participate in bead contests and enjoy drink specials while listening the sounds of DJ Ronnie D and rock band Gypsy Wisdom.

Prepare for  Mardi Gras early at Tattoo Mom’s (530 South St.) on Monday, Feb. 16 with an Arts and Crafts Happy Hour. Starting at 6 p.m. through 9 p.m., create masks, scepters, jambalaya mosaics, and quench your thirst with half-priced draft beers. A quarter of the proceeds will benefit hands-on activities at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

Here’s a deal worth a hoot: Tuesday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, Feb.19 the Red Owl Tavern (433 Chestnut St.) honors Mardi Gras with a few in-house specials. Treat yourself to cornmeal crusted catfish, South Louisiana Crawfish and Andouille grits, and top it off with beignets for dessert. For those in need of a spirit, the bar will create its own hurricane cocktail. The specials run during hours of operation (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.).

Bridget Foy’s (200 South St.) brings the heat with a handful of Louisiana-inspired specials on Tuesday, Feb.17. For those in need of a drink: Abita Turbo Dog, Hurricane-mixed drinks and pitchers will be specially priced. Want some flavor of the south?Indulge in crawfish gumbo, po’boys, and shrimp and grits. The restaurant will serve this menu during normal hours (11 a.m. - 11 p.m.).

Get an exclusive taste of Nola at Pennsylvania 6’s (114 S. 12th St.) Mardi Gras celebration. The bar will serve New Orleans-themed cocktails, creole-inspired foods, and live entertainment from Josh Fialkoff and the Philadelphia Stride. The party starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

On Tuesday Feb. 17, learn how to spice it up in the kitchen with a Jambalya cooking class at the Old Eagle Tavern (177 Markle St.) in Manayunk. Beginning at 6 p.m., kitchen staff will take you through the steps and tricks to create this classic dish. Free samples will be given out throughout the class.

Get your dance on with the Wild Bohemians at World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. as they perform a live set of traditional New Orleans music. The group will play a wide variety of blues, R&B, Cajun, Zydeco, and more.

Order bayou shrimp and enjoy the soulful tones of the Hoppin John Orchestra at Chris’ Jazz Café on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The performance starts at 7 p.m. and ends at midnight.

Making its debut in Philadelphia, and what better day than this, is the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the jazz ensemble, led by Irvin Mayfield, will surely have you feeling like you’re in the Crescent City. The Mardi Gras Celebration will take place at Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall (300 S. Broad St.).

Grab your Mardi Gras Mask because Franky Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) is getting into the festive action on Tuesday, Feb. 17 with live music by Philadelphia’s own New Sound Brass. After the live performance, end your evening with music by DJ Case Bloom. The club will open at 9 p.m.

Mardi Gras may be over on Sunday, Feb. 22, but Manayunk’s celebration isn’t. Starting at 10 a.m., through 12 p.m., 17 Philadelphia Mummers string bands and brigades will parade down Main Street and keep the struttin’ going until 12 p.m.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.