Mighty Mardi Gras Time!

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Fat Tuesday’s Mighty Mardi Gras
Hey ladies! How many beads will you collect at Fishlips on Feb. 16! MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!



By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia.com Editor

The most grande party to kick 2010 into gear is coming on Fat Tuesday, Feb 16!

Also known as Mardi Gras - Bakotopia & Fishlips, 1517 18th St., have once again teamed up to make it the "Fattest" yet.

There will be all-you-can-eat authentic Cajun cuisine until it’s gone to plump you up, along with live music by Mento Buru, Soulajar, Joel Jacob, and DJ Mikey providing the funky soundtrack. The party kicks off at 7 p.m. and costs only $10.

The annual celebration, which has its roots in Catholicism, is usually associated with the city of New Orleans. But in states like Alabama and California and countries like Brazil and Italy, Mardi Gras is one of the biggest nights of the year for parties!



Following the rules of the tradition, Mardi Gras is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, signaling the beginning of the Lenten season - a period of spiritual fasting and sacrifice until Easter Sunday, April 4 for the Catholic/Christian faithful.

On Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, revelers are allowed to indulge to their heart’s content until the clock strikes midnight - then it’s time to put the demons of gluttony and debauchery back into their holes for a while.

Of course, you don’t have to be religious to know a good party when you see one - how do you think “Girls Gone Wild” videos became popular? Flash some skin, get some beads. Flash a little more than skin, get some beads.



While showing your privates for a chance at some cheap plastic from some horny jock may sound cheap - it’s all in the name of fun. Relieve some stress, act a fool!


                                                                          Soulajar

When Gumbeaux’s (now Ruben’s Mexican restaurant) on Chester Avenue was open back in the day, it hosted the rowdiest Fat Tuesday bash in the city. Sure, local churches threw their own party to keep it proper, but judging by the crowds - it was apparent that religion took a back seat to the rockin’ out.


Mento Buru

In 2006 - bands Mento Buru, Soulajar, Fishlips Bar, and Bakotopia decided to take up the daunting task of keeping the Fat Tuesday tradition going after Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans in '05. Gumbeaux's closed it's doors that same year, and the Fishlips bash has been the place to be ever since.

This year's event brings back the original musical line-up once again.


Joel Jacob


DJ Mikey

And...MARDI GRAS face painting with BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists) to get you in the spirit!



The first party in 2006 was such a crazy hit that it’s back for a fifth year on Feb. 16! Be there!


Fat Tuesday 2010
-February 16, 2010
-Fishlips, 1517 18th St.
-LIVE MUSIC w/ Mento Buru, Soulajar, Joel Jacob, and  DJ Mikey! PLUS! facepainting with BECA!
-7 p.m. ($10 admission includes all you can eat Cajun buffet)
-21 & Over Only
-661-324 -2557