Partygoers at the inaugural SoMa Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball on Feb. 6 were encouraged to come in costume and sport their most festive hairstyle. The ball, hosted by Southside Main Street Project (SoMa), was held at the Villa Marre.
While many of the women were elaborately coiffed in the style of Marie Antoinette, it was Chantal Roberts, dressed as Queen Elizabeth, who won the costume contest. Also winning for his feathery costume was Andy Stallings. SoMa developers and property owners Mark Brown and Jill Judy were named the King and Queen of Mardi Gras and will have a place of honor in next year's Mardi Gras Parade.
Guests danced to music by DJ Mike Poe and partook of food and drink from neighborhood businesses, including South on Main, The Root and Boulevard Bread, Stone's Throw Brewery, daiquiris from Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom and king cake from Community Bakery. As a souvenir of the evening, guests could have portraits made by photographer Michelle Posey.
SoMa's mission is to promote economic development on South Main Street, and the events it holds are meant to showcase the area's improvement as well as raise money for more updates, said board member Hillis Schild.
High Profile on 02/14/2016