The Music Box Village contains music within its walls. Touch any of the structures in their yard and you’re a drummer, a harpist, a DJ. Adding music on top of that is almost redundant but when the music is coming from Big Freedia, you’ve basically just got 500% of music, madness, energy and glam coming at you from every angle.
At the fourth annual Music Box Mardi Gras Ball, the theme will be “Sirens of Salvage.” According to organizers, the theme aims to explore “the deeper importance of the trash and treasure we accumulate in our lives, and masquerade is mandatory(ish)! Guests are encouraged to re-purpose and reclaim their looks from valued heirlooms, hand-me-downs, nostalgic mementos and discarded detritus.”
Delaney Martin, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Airlift, which created The Music Box village project, saw this opportunity of putting on an event that’s extra in every way and thought, “We can do more. Let’s make it 1000%.” Delaney partnered with The Embassy, a boutique recording studio that discovers and develops artists from their inception– provides them with a safe space to create, to express and, together, they chose five young artists: Abéo, Odd the Artist, Sondriahn Sadé, Neighbourhood Vandal and Xavier Molina to act as sirens, calling Freedia to the stage.
The music magic of Sirens of Salvage is not the only extraordinary aspect of this upcoming event. The Music Box and The Embassy also partnered with young designers from the Material Institute to make sure the visuals will be just as enticing as the soundscape.
Each young musician was paired with a designer and, like speed dating, they all sat at a table and described what they envisioned. “I want to be edgy,” said Odd. “I want something where when I raise my arms the fabric flows out,” said Sondriahn. “It’s gonna be cold. I want the artists to be warm,” said designer, Logan. “That’s why I’ve designed these re-appropriated puffer jackets.” “I don’t care about being warm. I want to make an impact. I want to go all the way!” responded Abéo. “I like driftwood and the beauty of nature,” said Xavier. “I’ve just been illustrating designs with wood! Said designer, Face, organically finding his partner. “I believe, if you work hard at something simple, you can make something beautiful,” he continued.
The only parameters are that everything will be made of salvage. From bits and pieces, something complete will emerge. “I want everyone’s individuality to shine through sonically and visually,” encouraged Delaney.
Many of these performers will be doing their first paid performance, many of these artists will be displaying their designs, in this way, for the first time. This trash to treasure event is not only based on a classic Cinderella theme– it may provide the start of quite a few fairytale endings.
Get your tickets to the Fourth Annual Music Box Mardi Gras Ball, Sirens of Salvage, featuring Big Freedia, on Thursday, February 13 at 7 p.m. here. $25 general admission, $75 VIP.
