It was VooDoo

The combination of Mardi Gras and Voo Dudes has proven to be a winning one since it's inception. It was a cool night for just a little while but once the music started it became a steamy night in New Orleans and the Voo Dudes they owned it. And by God there was dancing. Not always pretty it was always fun. While the Voo Dudes ruled the stage. Chef DeMaio and his Crabby Daddys ruled the kitchen. Cajun Tom McGrath's Jamayala was once again a hit for it's taste and a backbreaker for the cast iron saucepan it was prepared in. Oh and jello shots... wouldn't be Mardi Gras with the jello shots. 
It takes a lot of work by what's typically a few folks to put on these events.  From advertising to booking the band, purchasing supplies, food prep, ordering and hanging decorations, tickets, finances, raffles, prizes and of course someone has to come up with balloons, spoons and 15 feet of string. If you weren't there you'll have to  use your imagination. Not to mention the work that remains after everyone has gone home and the air has fizzled out of the last of those balloons. There's the cleanup, tables and chairs to stack, pots and trays to wash, photos to process and someone has to finish off the jello shots. So when the night turns out to be as good as this one was, well, that just makes it all worth while. To all those who participate behind the scenes --- you earned your beads tonight. To all those who came and had a great night - Thank You Too.

Photos and Slideshow by Joe Mulvanerton

Mardi Gras Antics Rule The Night

From Bourbon St to Jackson Sq there was not an empty seat in the place as the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration got underway at the FSOS. What do you get when you mix 150 partygoers, cold beer, masks, beads, jambalaya, a very big spoon, flying bras and the hot hot hot VooDudes? You get a night to remember. 

While music and merriment ruled the night it was Chef DeMaio & Co that ruled the day. Yes ladies, he's quite something in an apron, top had and beads. And when he starts to wield that spatula... LOOK OUT. Crab cakes, roast pork, chicken alfredo were just some of the dishes seasoned to a high heat. There's nothing like a hot dish to warm the heart on a cold night and still other parts the day after.

Guest Chef Tom McGrath brought his own cast iron cauldron. I went to lift it. Then thought, "maybe not". With cauldron on stove he produced one of the dead sea scrolls. The one with the recipe for Jambalaya. You think I'm kidding. I'm not. Missing only his black cape he stepped up to the cauldron and did that voodoo that he do so well. Buffet complete.   

With appetites satisfied and tables cleared, the VooDudes took to the stage and proceeded to fill the hall with there own special brand of blues and rock. Tim Black was first on the floor determined to earn his beads, he wasn't alone for long. Rumour has it that Charlie Donnelly stepped out there to do some stompin' of his own and didn't even break a sweat... Kathleen, loooookout.

Joe Patterson, John Reilly & Jim Connor were a little dismayed to see the ladies abusing some of the decorations that they'd hung so carefully. I can't mention names but these girls had no shame. They spent much of the evening augmenting one of our wall hangings until it could easily have passed for a viagara commercial... they got beads... lots of beads.... and tinsel as well. While I can't say who they were, I can say that John Wagle, Dave Delaney and Denis Sullivan left early with them and gave me a $100 tip.

And then of course there was the incident with the spoon. What do you get when you put Tommy Keegan between two lovely ladies with a spoon and 80 feet of string? A memory that will take many years of therapy to erase. The ladies are still recovering, Barney Shannon has already sent flowers and the charges have been dropped.

Betsy Keubler was also busy that night taking photos while husband George was in the kitchen. She has set some of them to music in what can only be described as a gem. Disclaimer: We warn our viewers in advance that some of this content may be disturbing.

There is so much preparation that goes into making it happen. Some of the unsung heros who invested much of their time into producing this event are Scott Fitzgerald, Wayne Miller, Gary Murphy. All worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring about this great night and the many others we've put on over the past few years.

Once again the bar has been raised for parties at the FSOS. As for Mr Sheridan and his Irish Mafia, they are already planning the next... and still looking for that spoon.

More Photos

Beads Beads and More Beads

It was just a year ago that the dinner dance committee took it on themselves to throw a Mardi Gras party. It was an effort to help us get in touch with our New Orleans jambalaya, philly gumbo, jazz, funk and rockin' cajun blues roots. Who could have predicted the success. It was huge. Fast forward a year to the present day. The only day open for this event was Saturday Jan 31, early in the season right after comedy night and the day before superbowl Sunday ... would people come. Not only did they come... they brought their own beads.

The success of Saturday night has cemented Mardi Gras has a fixture in the Friendly Sons calendar. Dave Delaney was one of the many declaring it one of the highlights of the year. What did you miss? You missed Chef DeMaio, he makes hells kitchen look like childs play. Chef Tom McGrath who cooks the meanest Jambalaya North of New Orleans. Chef Jeff Schuld who served up his ultimate gumbo and Chef George Kuebler who brought his special brand of fire house heat to the kitchen.

The Voo Dudes used their magic on the crowd and brought the house down as they rocked from one set to the next. In a throw back to the 60's they sang Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women" aka "Everybody let's get high" at which point three of the guys jumped on tables... my how things have changed. Playing one hit after another they filled the dance floor all night on. 

The dance contest was close as Tim Black partnered up with President John Wagle only to be beaten out of first place by our favorite photo imposer Wayne Miller. Wayne chose a tray of jello shots as his partner and then surprised the judges by switching to a mop. It was his innovative use of space and form that was credited with earning him the champions necklace. You wouldn't believe what he can do with a mop and a tray of jello shots. Finally, congrats to Jim Connor who celebrated the big five-O during the evenng... doesn't look a day of 49.

Click hear to check out more Mardi Gras Photos

Thank you to Jackie Patterson for additional photos

Mardi Gras Celebration - It's all about the beads!

In the first event of the New Year we saw the Friendly Sons Hall filled for Mardi Gras. That's right, Mardi Gras.  The evening, organized by the Dinner Dance Committee, was just one long night of fun. Music was provided by The VooDudes . They played everything from New Orleans Funk, Blues, Boogie-Woogie and Honky Tonk. They didn't know Danny Boy but that didn't slow them down. The dance floor was filled all night long. It wasn't always pretty... but it was always filled. And did I mention beads, Yes there were beads and some of us got more than others. If you want to find out how that happened you'll have to come to the next Mardi Gras night. Though we're thinking of calling it Marty Gras night. You be the judge. Check out just some of the photos from Mardi Gras... Nice Beads Marty. I see prizes in the future,... Most Beads, Biggest Beads, Prettiest Beads, and the "You Got Some Set of Beads" award for dancin' like that.

 Photos from Mardi Gras 2008