Mardi Gras Day brings the return of the all-star Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, showcasing great New Orleans talent and culture.

The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, February 25. Austin-based blues talent Tomar and the FCs will kick off the music. Tomar and the FCs are fan favorites in the the Austin music scene and were selected by NPR Music in 2016 to represent the city in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series. 

The Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra is fronted by accordionist, percussionist, and vocalist Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes of Sunpie and Louisiana Sunspots along with Big Chief David Montana of the Washitaw Nation Mardi Gras Indian tribe. The musician lineup of the Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra features bassist Reggie Scanlan of The Radiators; bassist Daryl Johnson of The Neville Brothers and of Omar Neville and the Fuel; reed player Brad Walker of Sturgill Simpson and others; cellist Helen Gillet; violinist Rurik Nunan of Dave Jordan and the NIA and others; guitarist Billy Iuso of Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives; drummer Kevin O’Day of the Kevin O’Day band; percussionist Rosie Rosato; and keyboardist Mikey “B-3” Burkart of Raw Oyster Cult and others. The band will play exciting new twists on classic songs from the Black Indian collection of New Orleans. 

The performance will take place on Mardi Gras Day at 3:30 pm at Cafe Istanbul, located at 2372 St. Claude Ave. Tickets are $20 at the door.