A look at last year’s Fat Tuesday event, which was conducted at White Lion Brewery.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SPRINGFIELD — People seeking a taste of the Mardi Gras spirit can find it at 52 Sumner Ave. on Feb. 22.
It is on that night and in that venue where music and food lovers will encounter a blend of music, culture and community that mirrors and celebrates the iconic French holiday.
Blues to Green, the local nonprofit that runs the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, is hosting Fat Tuesday Jazz Night, a festive fundraiser featuring world-class performances, Creole/Cajun cuisine and the” joyful spirit of Mardi Gras.”
“We want to bring the spirit of New Orleans and Mardi Gras to Springfield for this very festive concert event,” said Kristin Neville, the executive director and founder of Blues to Green. “People can come and enjoy the food, the music and dance.”
Two major performances highlight the one-night festival. The first one, at 6 p.m., will be a “powerful tribute” to female jazz legends called “From Ella to Amy,” performed by Broadway star Badia Farha.
Neville said Farha is currently a part of Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” which just won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Farha’s performance of “From Ella to Amy” on Feb. 22 will blend jazz, R&B and soul to capture the spirit of female jazz legends, from Ella Fitzgerald to Amy Winehouse.
Later that night, at approximately 8:15 p.m., attendees will experience a “dynamic set” of New Orleans-inspired jazz, funk and Mardi Gras music courtesy of Samirah Evans and her Handsome Devils.
According to Neville, Evans is a former staple of the New Orleans music scene who has shared the stage with legends like Dr. John, B.B. King, and the Neville Brothers.
“Badia and Samirah are powerhouse singers that share a breadth of jazz expression,” Neville said.
A reflection of the Mardi Gras experience will also manifest in the cuisine. The legendary Wayne Hooker — “Chef Wayne” — is bringing an authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine for people to feast on during the night’s events.
According to Neville, the event is a fundraiser to support Blues to Green’s mission of providing “free, high-quality arts programs to communities with limited access while promoting cultural and economic revitalization.”
More specifically, the event will supplement staple initiatives like the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, the Legacy Education Project and Arts for Racial & Climate Justice.
“Our initiatives bring people together, engage them in vital causes, and strengthen the heart of Springfield,” the organization said in a press release.
Tickets for the Fat Tuesday event start at $25 and include food and both performances. Neville said sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
The event is co-presented by Blues to Green and Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, Inc. According to the social media page, Blues to Green “utilizes music and other arts to center the cultures of the African diaspora within American culture, nurture personal freedom, strengthen multicultural community, and catalyze action for racial and climate justice.”
Readers can learn more by visiting the 52 Sumner Ave. website: tinyurl.com/ytweucac. Doors open at 4:50 p.m.
