Sunset Celebrates 13 Years with the 2009 SF Mardi Gras Ball February 24, 2009

Sunset Celebrates 13 Years with the 2009 SF Mardi Gras Ball

Extra Action Marching Band and the Brass Mafia headline
San Francisco’s most authentic Mardi Gras Celebration

WHAT: The 13th Annual San Francisco Mardi Gras Ball
TALENT: Extra Action Marching Band, the Brass Mafia, Motion Potion
WHEN: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 | Doors/ Event at 9pm
WHERE: The Independent | 628 Divisadero St | 415.771.1421
GENERAL INFO: www.sunsetpromotions.net.
PRESS INFO: Kelly Edwards – press@sunsetpromotions.net
TICKETS: $15 adv. / $20 DOS at www.sunsettickets.com, independentsf.com and the Independent Box Office

DETAILS: Sunset Promotions celebrates its 13th Anniversary on Tuesday, February 22 by again bringing the rhythm and spirit of the bayou to San Francisco for a blowout Mardi Gras Party. Called “the best Mardi Gras party this side of New Orleans” the San Francisco Mardi Gras Ball has consistently brought an authentic Vieux Carre’ experience to San Francisco. For the 2009 version, Sunset will transform the Independent into a steamy French Quarter Tavern, complete with Mardi Gras beads, hurricanes, and the authentic carnival vibes of Extra Action Marching Band and the Brass Mafia.

The Extra Action Marching Band is a collision of big band and ecstatic turmoil. Despite their name they rarely march, but rather shimmy, crawl, mob and charge. Trumpets pounce like eagles and tubas drip ass-bouncing blurps from fat fingers. Drums shudder under wild eyed and white knuckled drummers, and through it all winds the flag team; glittering and sinuous creatures who masterfully pulsate pom-poms in a hypnotic fantasy. The listener is hoodwinked, soaked, and savaged into giddy abandon. Powerful and empowering, the Extra Action Marching Band seduces the pre-civilized will. They are immediate and visceral - more of a sweaty invitation than a show. They are a parody of idioms with shattering volume - guerrilla theater with the rug rolled up. Extra Action has performed in back alleys and at the Hollywood Bowl, they have played Black Sabbath in a synagogue for dancing octogenarians - but the preferred venue is a small locked room with the heat turned up. As the sound boils into a spinning crossfire, sweat and flying hair tangle in a delicious knot. Audience and band submit together, to each other, to the whim and fancy, to satisfaction. Irresistible.

The Brass Mafia is the brass band version of famed local jazz collective the Jazz Mafia. Led by trombone/bassist Adam Theis the Mafia has its strings in every corner of SF jazz culture, from the hip hop hustle of Shotgun Wedding, to the big band swing of Realistic Orchestra to the traditional New Orleans brass funk of the Brass Mafia.

Motion Potion, one of the founders of SF Mardi Gras will make his 10th appearance at the event, mixing up a spicy gumbo of New Orleans party classics, Brazillian funk and nuschool world breaks.

Guaranteed to be wilder than ever in its thirteenth year, this epic party will take our foggy city by storm, leaving a trail of feathers and sequins in its path. Get ready to¬ jump into the hurricane of one of the city’s best annual parties the San Francisco’s Mardi Gras Ball!

Official Website: http://www.sunsetpromotions.net