Not quite Mardi Gras, Pardi Gras is downtown Orlando’s answer to New Orleans’ annual celebration. On Fat Tuesday, otherwise known as Feb. 16, there will be a couple of celebrations.
One is courtesy of the folks at Wall Street Plaza, who will be serving up New Orleans-style hurricanes and crawfish to everyone who comes out. Of course there will be beads, and live music by the The Burnin’ Smyrnans. The party starts at 5 p.m. for a 21-and-up crowd and it’s $5 at the gate to get in. Wall Street Plaza is at 25 Wall St.
The other celebration will be at the Cajun-influenced Crooked Bayou in downtown Orlando. There also will be a $5 cover and a free crawfish happy hour from 5 p.m. until they’re gone. The party will feature live music by Shak Nasti, Meters Tribute, Errol Windham Zydeco Band featuring Jarritt Sheel on trumpet and DJs Nigel, Mike Ryan and Andrew Spear. Crooked Bayou is at 50 E. Central Blvd.; call 407-839-5852.
**Update and correction**
Turns out I was mistaken last week when referring to what was included at the Crooked Bayou Pardi Gras celebration on Tuesday. Turns out free crawfish is not part of the $5 cover — that’s for the live entertainment and a free Abita beer. The free crawfish starts on March 5 and will continue every Friday starting at 5 p.m. until they’re gone. Crooked Bayou is at 50 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando; call 407-839-5852.
