Talent Lineup Announced for 10th Annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival

BATON ROUGE, La. - EntSun -- The10th Annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival is pleased to announce the talent lineup and sponsors for the events.

The festival kicks-off with a Pre-party on Thursday, February 16 from 7:00pm to midnight at Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room. Admission is $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door. It includes a buffet and no-host bar. The venue is located at 2733 North Street in Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

Pre-party entertainment includes Belgium blues artist Blues Messenger and headliner John "The Boss Man" Hall from Philadelphia, a James Brown tribute act, both of whom will perform at the main festival. The documentary "We're Going Down to the Mardi Gras," will be screened at 9:00pm. The film is the history of how Henry Turner, Jr. came to found the annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival. Additional talent expected to appear include Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and some of the Listening Room All-Stars.

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The main festival is Saturday, February 18 from 10:00am to 7:00pm at North Boulevard Town Square on the Town Lawn Stage. It features continuous live music and dance, a Vendor's Village and Food Court. Lawn seating, so bring your chairs. It's family friendly and free to the public. The venue is located at 200 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70801.

For more information, including VIP packages with covered seating, food and drink tickets, please log on to http://www.batonrougemardigrasfestival.com or call 225-802-9681.

This year's festival lineup features blues, soul, funk, R&B, reggae, gospel, jazz, pop/rock, dance, comedy and Mardi Gras Indians. In addition to Blues Messenger,  John "The Boss Man" Hall and Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor with Mardi Gras Indian Big Queen Tonya Bell Sylvas returning favorites are SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie, Robert "The Juice" Lenoir from Mississippi and horn player Kasey Ball. The Listening Room All-Stars include Henry Turner Jr.'s house band My Better Half featuring Ervin "Maetro" Foster, Jim Masters and Larry "LZ" Dillon, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Eddie "Cool" Deemer and Owen Scott. The newest All-Star is funk/pop singer/songwriter Kevin White. Returning dancers include the Phoenix Rouge Belly Dance Troupe and Lady Nan 'Katherine, who performed at A Taste of the Deep South Festival last year.  Hosts are Teddy "Lloyd" Johnson and Gisele Haralson. (Lineup is subject to change. (Please visit website for exact performance times.)

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Sponsors are Visit Baton Rouge, Blue Runner, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Downtown Development District and EW Media Group. The event is presented by Henry Turner Jr's Listening Room Museum Foundation a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.