Krewe of Allegro Mardi Gras Ball

Carnival season is here, and we're ready to laissez les bon temps rouler! The Krewe of Allegro Mardi Gras Ball is Ruston’s only ball of the season and is known by many as the social event of the season. What better way to beat the winter doldrums than dressing your best, hitting the dance floor, and directly supporting arts and culture in our region? The 21st Annual Ruston Mardi Gras Ball is Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Ruston Civic Center. Doors open at 6:00 pm with dinner music with dinner beginning at 6:30 pm followed by a formal presentation of the Royal Court. The Royal Court is comprised of citizens who support the local arts community and Ruston as a whole. This year’s esteemed King and Queen are Chris “Moose” and Jennifer Garriga; Dixie Duke and Duchess, Michael and Dionna Leblanc; NCLAC Duke and Duchess, Cathi Cox-Boniol and Tom Boniol; Ruston Community Theatre Duke and Duchess, Steele and Forrest Moegle. This year we have adjusted the format of the ball based on feedback from several years of attendance. We are starting a little earlier to give more time to savor the wonderful festivities. We have enhanced the menu with even more Louisiana cuisine by Linda Peevy. The cash bar has been re-stocked to quench all your thirst all night long including the official cocktail, The Allegro. New this year is light dinner music from Rick Godley featuring slow dance classics for plenty of cheek to cheek dancing with your loved one. We also have souvenir handkerchiefs available for purchase to commemorate the night and for use during the second line dance. Also new is a table decorating contest! Go full-on festive by personalizing your table! We encourage attendees to show off their krewe’s personality with fun centerpieces and table décor. Have your décor judged during the event for a chance to win free drinks for the table - the winning krewe wins a round of free drinks! There is no cost to enter the contest. The North Central Louisiana Arts Council will once again hold their silent auction with original artwork, fine jewelry, tickets to popular community events, and more! At the 9:00 hour, Lisa Spann & Company kicks off the live music with the second line parade, Proceeds from the night support the “Sustaining Building Fund” to maintain the historic Dixie Center for the Arts building. The Dixie Center for the Arts has served a pivotal role in the Ruston community for 92 years by providing a prominent place to promote the arts, and by safeguarding a piece of Ruston’s architectural and cultural history. You must be 21 or older to attend. Cocktail-to-formal attire is required, so mosey on downtown and shop at the finest stores in Ruston for the must-have look. Dinner tickets to the Mardi Gras Ball are $65 and include reserved table seating, dinner, and entry beginning at 6:00 pm. Dancing tickets are $40 and include entry at 9:00 pm (with no reserved seating). The night is sponsored in part by Century Next Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors, and The Selfie Stop. For more information, visit dixiecenter.org or call the Dixie at 318-255-1450.