Mardi Gras may not officially take place until next Tuesday—but that’s not keeping the doubloons and beads from flying over the weekend. Twelve parades are scheduled in Mobile and around the Gulf coast. Mobile prides itself as the originator of “Fat Tuesday” celebrations in the United States, in 1703, long before the revels on the day before the beginning of Lent was popularized in New Orleans. A taste of Mardi Gras comes to Tuscaloosa tonight. The Mystic Krewe of Druids is hosting its annual Bal Masque event at the Bama theater. Bal Masque is a Mardi Gras celebration with a different theme every year. The 2016 edition is called “Let’s Dance” with music by the late David Bowie and the Spice Girls. The show benefits the group West Alabama Aids Outreach. Steven Yates is a Lieutenant for the Krewe. He says Bal Masque is a fun event, but AIDS outreach is why he’s been involved for the past ten years.
“We’re able to be directly impact the lives of people in West Alabama with what we’re doing for this event. And that’s why so many of us continue to do it year after year is because we’re just committed to this important cause and raising awareness of HIV in our area, and helping people understand what it is and what it’s not.”
General admissions tickets to the Bal Masque AIDS benefit are $40.