West Windsor Arts Council brings the tastes, sights, and sounds of Mardi Gras to its Alexander Road home on Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. The event celebrates the organization’s third year and benefits arts education, arts programming, scholarships, student internships, and art exhibits. Silent auction items include art, vacations, the opportunity to go to space camp, a signed Bruce Springsteen guitar, and more. Food, drinks, entertainment, and parking are included in the $75 ticket.
“As a former New Orleans resident, I promise you an authentic New Orleans experience,” says Arin Black, executive director of the Arts Council. “Bring friends and feast on genuine Cajun fare and NOLA style cocktails, including the Hurricane, a personal favorite.”
The concept of a gala in March led to the Mardi Gras theme — celebrated for two weeks in New Orleans. Food will include fried green tomatoes, Cajun pasta, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and more. Caterers include Alchemist & Barrister, Peony Pavilion, Bobby’s Burgers, Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Tre Piani, Americana Diner, Patron Tequila, Olives, and Trader Joe’s.
Ingrid Lucia, known as the New Orleans Nightingale, headlines the entertainment. Considered to be one of the best Louisiana Jazz-style singers, Lucia began singing at a very young age, taking to the stage with her father’s band, the Flying Neutrinos. Her work includes new compositions with a commitment to the idea that traditional jazz and folk music is still evolving. Lucia will be accompanied by a guitarist.
“I’m thrilled to have so much sponsorship from individuals and corporations,” says Black. Sponsors include Katie Stokel and Peter Ligetti, Howard Hughes Corporation, Holly Singer Eland and Richard Eland, Madison Marquette, MarketFair, Princeton Air, Allan and Susan Zavarro, McCaffery’s, and Charles Schwab.
“The third year is a crucial time for any non-profit,” says Black. “We are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and we need to find the funds to maintain the building.” The arts council was recently given an incentive to raise $10,000 by June 30. An anonymous donor who supports the arts council’s mission has offered a $10,000 matching gift to the organization.
“People in the community work very hard to support the arts council,” she says. “We have dedicated volunteers, but it would be nice to solidify our staff with someone paid to help.”
Black, who joined the Arts Council in January, 2013, attended University of New Orleans beginning in 2002 and received an MFA in creative writing in 2006.
“My sister moved to Philadelphia many years ago to row and to attend graduate school at Penn, so I’ve visited often,” says Black, who left New Orleans to devote time to her book, a 256-page young adult novel called “Girls Like that are Dangerous.” The book is on Black’s back burner for now.
“I was specifically drawn to the organization’s focus on arts across the disciplines and its multi-cultural offerings,” she says. Her plans include continuing the open mic series on the first Fridays from October to June; continuing the summer series with the Blawenburg Band and the Dukes of Destiny, who were rained out last summer; and expanding the Autumn Arts Afternoon to be a family festival with more for tweens, teens, and adults.
“I have a million ideas about what I want to do,” she says.
Mardi Gras Magic, West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m. E-mail exdir@westwindsorarts.org for information about donations, sponsorships, or tickets. $75. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
