The event was very much Mardi Gras with large crowds of merrymakers in feathers and masks, and a great kick-off of the DJ fundraiser with over 30 DJs signing up (contest runs for full week).
Jaco Fitzpatrick wore his finest for the opening of the Mardi Gras in the Crossroads Market Square.
The Mardi Gras was initially scheduled from 6:00-8:00pm SLT but it started early and was taken deep into the night, as any good Mardi Gras should. Long time Blues for Autism supporter, DJ Breeze Windrum kicked off the event with an amazing selection of Cajun, Zydeco and Bluesy music.
DJ Bree Windrum was masked and decked out in feathers, but you could tell it was her just by the always right-on selection of music which included the fantastic sounds of accordions wailing out Zydeco!
There's a giant 2011 DJ Fundraiser board and by the early evening, over 30 DJs joined.
To vote for your favorite DJ or for more details, head over to...
Speaking personally and as an experienced hostess, I was amazed that the large number of people who came to the event throughout the evening. Being a hostess I like to think I have a good idea of who is coming and going and returning from any event I host, but the sheer number of guests was more than I could keep track of.
Early in the evening the crowds began arriving at the tp portal but also from many other directions, some motoring in on their bikes from the roads surrounding The Crossroads.
Many guests really got into the Mardi Gras theme including BFA founder Magi McBride (left).
As the clock rolled onto 8:00pm, DJ Bluesboy "Bluesy" Gloster took over the stream from Bree and took the music, dancing and fundraising deep into the night.
The BFA Marketplace
In addition to the event and the DJ board, Crossroad's Market Square is the location of the Blues for Autism Marketplace. The market place contains items donated by BFA Sponsors for sale. The full proceeds of each sale go to Blues for Autism. Please take the time to TP over there, vote for your favorite DJ and maybe buy some of the great merchandise.
At the end of the night, the results of both the Mardi Gras and DJ Fundraiser was fantastic. The Mardi Gras kiosk accumulated L$37,385 while the DJ Board posted a whopping L$88,194.
The total for the night was L$125,579!
This was the first Blues for Autism event held at The Crossroads and thank yous go to the great people who hang at XR really delivered! Special thanks to Merrymay Lorsgval who hosted the event.
Note: Magi McBride reports that the current total of all funds raised from events and kiosks is now L$587,896.
by Yordie Sands
