WHAT: Beggin’ for Gumbo – A Benefit for St. Jude Community Center WHERE: The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture 1010 Conti Street in the French Quarter Tel: (504) 218-4872 Web: www.TheMardiGrasMuseum.com WHEN: Thursday, January 26th, 6 pm – 9 pm The recently opened Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture is pleased to host a benefit for the St. Jude Community Center and celebrate the center’s charity and good works in the community. In the spirit of the time honored rural Cajun tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run), in which Le Capitaine leads masked and costumed revelers from house to house begging for ingredients to cook up a large communal pot of gumbo, the museum will collect donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries on behalf of the St. Jude Community Center. Guests can learn about Cajun Mardi Gras costumes and traditions via the museum’s Cajun Mardi Gras exhibit; the entire museum will be open for exploration, including the museum’s costume closet where guests can try on authentic Mardi Gras costumes. Local Cajun/Zydeco band, the Big Easy Playboys, will play from 7 pm to 8pm. Gumbo and other refreshments will be served. Donations for St. Jude Community Center can also be dropped off at the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture between 10 am and 5 pm any day of the week. The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture is located at 1010 Conti Street in the French Quarter. $10 suggested admission, plus a contribution of a non-perishable food item(s) and/or toiletries.