There's still time to party Mardi Gras fashion in LR

When it comes to Mardi Gras time, les bons temps don't rouler only in New Orleans.

Thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas, some of that celebratory free-for-all can be found in Little Rock -- after Fat Tuesday's partying has come and gone.

This is the fourth year for Mardi Gras in Arkansas, which is actually the creation of The Connection, the Boys and Girls Club's junior board of directors that's made up of young professionals.

Director of Development Sarah Riffle says, "This was actually the event they came up with to be their signature event to be able to reach the younger demographic in central Arkansas to support the club."

They reach that demographic by throwing a very big party.

"It is definitely, by far, the largest Mardi Gras party in central Arkansas," Riffle says. "Lots of beads, lots of fun music and just a lot of fun."

The music is provided by the popular band Boom Kinetic. There will also be complimentary wine and beer (and a cash bar for the stronger stuff).

For the first time this year, they're introducing a raffle. The items up for winning are a signed Bret Bielema football, a signed baseball from the 2012 Detroit Tigers baseball team, a 10-class package from ZenStudio Fitness Boutique and a wine basket from Colonial Wines and Spirits. Raffle tickets are $5 and they're prize-specific, meaning partygoers can be assured that if they win, they'll take home a prize they actually want.

The point of all this, other than a fun, Big Easy-style party, is the Boys and Girls Club, which receives 100 percent of the proceeds from Mardi Gras. Those funds will go to support the programming and operating costs for the seven clubs around Little Rock and North Little Rock.

"We handle after-school and summertime programming for approximately 10,000 youth in central Arkansas every year," Riffle says.

The organization is focused primarily on at-risk youth, designed to give them opportunities and skills they need to clear the hurdles in their way. Programming centers on character and leadership development, education, athletics, arts and health and life skills and includes:

• Power Hour: Homework help and tutoring.

• Project Read 2020: Summer reading program for students at or below grade level.

• Smart Girls: Honing decision-making and critical thinking skills and giving tools to resist peer pressure.

• Music My Way: Learning to play instruments as well as write, produce and record songs.

• Passport to Manhood: Lessons in responsibility for boys.

• Arts and crafts, gardening and sports such as basketball, swimming and baseball and a long list of other programs and activities for children ages 6-18.

Those programs require money and community support to keep them going, and what better way to do that than with a New Orleans blow-out, Riffle says: "It's going to be a really good time supporting a fabulous cause."

Weekend on 02/19/2015