BLACKROCK ROCKS PRESENTS 7TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS FUNDRAISER

By MELISSA BERNSTEIN

On Saturday, February 18 from noon to last call, BlackRock Rocks will present its 7^thAnnual Mardi Gras fundraiser at multiple venues in the heart of Black Rock, including Acoustic Café, Neutral Ground and LuLu's Hot Spot.

Playing this all-day, all-night party are local and regional performers, including Nigel Hall with The AB's featuring members of the Sam Kininger Band, Grit Gamble and the Pandemonium featuring Tim and Eric of The Alternate Routes, The Primate Fiasco, Renard Boissiere, Cosmic Jibaros, Twiddle, PJ Pacifico, Big Moon, HOE, IAnbassa, The Darian Cunning Band, Psychedelphia, Iron Chicken Foot, Dr. Caterwauls Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps featuring The Cygnet Sisters, John Torres, Separate Incidents, Steve Detroy Trio, TC & The Speakers, Ada Pasternak, Graylight Campfire, String Fingers and Symphonic Bodega. Emceeing the event is area personality Mike Falzone, who will share his humor, music and world views.

The event will include New Orleans-inspired dishes and drink specials, a facepainter, and a French Quarter Photo Booth.

This year’s beneficiaries will be Original Works, Inc. (originalworksinc.net) and Music 4 More (www.music4more.org). Original Works, Inc. offers substantive arts experiences for youths from the Bridgeport region, in dance, music, theater and film while the participants work with professional artists in creating, developing, and performing original artistic productions.

Music 4 More provides financial and in-kind resources to sustain and foster under-funded music programs in schools and communities nationwide. This year, BlackRock Rocks will have an instrument drive leading up to the Mardi Gras celebration, to support Music 4 More.

Gently used instruments will be collected to help a public school music program in Bridgeport. Instruments will be accepted through Friday, February 17th at Turnpike Music Garage, 1485 Black Rock Tpk, Fairfield, (203-368-6874). Donors should bring their Turnpike Music receipt to BlackRock Rocks Mardi Gras on February 18^th, and show it at the door. To thank them for their donation, BlackRock Rocks will give donors 10 free raffle tickets, which will increase their chances of winningunique prize packages awarded throughout the celebration.

Adult tickets are $25 for admission to all venues throughout the event. Children are welcome until 8:30 pm, with ages 12-20 entering for $5, and children under 12 entering for free. Acoustic Café and LuLu's Hot Spot are located at 2926 Fairfield Avenue, and Neutral Ground is across the street at 2931 Fairfield Avenue.

More information and upcoming announcements, including the final performance schedule, can be found at www.blackrockrocks.com. Additional updates will also be made to the group’s event page on Facebook, and Twitter updates will be posted throughout the event. Questions can be directed to BlackRock Rocks at info@blackrockrocks.org.

BlackRock Rocks is a group of local musicians, artists and avid supporters of both, which presents musically-focused events. BlackRock Rocks Mardi Gras, to date, has donated over $15,000 for the revitalization of New Orleans and Bridgeport. Previous years’ beneficiaries include Original Works, Inc., the Uptown Music Theatre & Swinging with the Cool School, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Higher Ground Fund and the Tipitina’s Foundation.