10 ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in Dayton

You don’t have to be in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Here are 10 things to do to celebrate this Fat Tuesday here in Dayton. Grab your beads, grab your mask (but let’s keep it clean).

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>> 5 delicious, decadent dishes to eat on Mardi Gras

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

1.) MARDI GRAS THREAUXDOWN AT YELLOW CAB

Some local musicians are stepping outside of their creative comfort zones for the Mardi Gras Threauxdown at Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton, on Friday, March 1. Wolf Moon Revival & the Eclipse Krewe, a 12-person collaboration featuring local musicians, headlines the show. Doors open at 6 p.m. and Phil’s Big Ass Brass Band will lead a pre-show parade. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Mardi Gras gear. Participating musicians include Sharon Lane, Eric Henry, Trey Stone, Khrys Blank and Rich Reuter. Creole cuisine will be served by Camp Heard.

When: Friday, March 1, beginning at 6 p.m.

Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton

Cost: $10.

More info: 937-424-3870 | WebsiteFacebook

2.) FAT TUESDAY FEAST AT AMBER ROSE

A four-course New Orleans inspired menu will be paired with featured beers from Dayton Beer Company.

• First Course: Cajun Poutine  — Pub Fries topped with Crawfish Tail Gravy with Smoked Gouda Cheese | Beer: Jalapeno Face Lager

• Second Course: Chicken & Tasso Gumbo with the “Holy Trinity” Served Over Rice and paired with a Shrimp Po Boy Slider | Beer: Labyrinth DIPA

• Entrée Course: Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Cheesy Grits | Beer: Batch 100 Belgian

Dessert Course: King Kake | Beer: Midnight Dream Russian Imperial Stout

Entertainment includes Mardi Gras trivia for beads.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Amber Rose Restaurant, 1400 Valley St., Dayton

Cost: Tickets are $35, which includes tax and gratuity. All ticket sales are final.

More info: Facebook

3.) FAT TUESDAY AT JIMMIE’S LADDER 11

Feast on a special menu and drink specialty cocktails during this special event on Tuesday, March 5. The special menu includes: Shrimp & Grits, Red Beans & Rice, New Orleans Style Gumbo, Shrimp, Oyster & Beef Po' Boys, King Creole Cheesecake and Bourbon Street Bread Pudding. Featured beers on tap by Warped Wing Brewing Company,

Abita Brewing Company (Louisiana) and New Belgium Brewing. Special cocktails include the Hurricane, Creole Cocktail and Sazerac. Entertainment by Dave Greer & the Classic Jazz Stompers starting at 7 p.m. Open mic to follow at 10 p.m. hosted by Mikey Dread.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 5 p.m. to midnight

Where: Jimmie's Ladder 11, 936 Brown St.

More info: Call for reservations at (937) 424-1784 | Facebook

4.) FAT TUESDAY WITH ABITA AT THE BARREL HOUSE

Celebrate Fat Tuesday at The Barrel House with Abita beers on tap (tap list TBA). Bottles of Abita's Mardi Gras Bock will be available while supplies last, along with Mardi Gras/Abita swag.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 5-10 p.m

Where: The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton

More info: Facebook

5.) FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION AT MUDLICK TAP HOUSE

New Orleans-inspired cocktails (think Sazeracs, Vieux Carré, and Hurricanes) alongside a special menu featuring crab-stuffed beignets and Étouffée are in store for Mudlick’s Fat Tuesday celebration. Special menu items include:

• Gumbo Dip: Royal red shrimp, Bell peppers, Parmesan and cream cheeses, cajun spice, all baked together, then topped with pickled okra. Served with crostini

• Crab Stuffed Beignets: Beer-infused beignets stuffed with fresh herbs, mascarpone, and fresh blue crab

• Chicken and Shrimp Étouffée: Bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, onion, garlic, chicken and shrimp all simmered in a spicy broth. Served over delta belle and wild rice.

• Shrimp and Grits: Large gulf shrimp sauteed with andouille, tomatoes, onions, all southern spiced, simmered in a flavorful broth and served over cheesy, chive grits

• Catfish with Red Beans and Rice: Cornmeal crusted catfish filet served over red beans and rice, salsa verde.

• Catfish Po'Boy: Cornmeal crusted catfish filets, flash fried and served on a crusty baguette with remoulade and shredded greens, house pickles. Served with fries

• Bananas Foster Tiramisu: Rum-soaked ladyfingers layered with Sweetened vanilla and chocolate mascarpone served with warm sauteed bananas and brown sugar

• The King Cake: Multicolored lemon sponge cake topped with vanilla royal icing

• Beignets: The classic dusted with confectioners sugar

When: Tuesday, March 5, 3-11 p.m.

Where: Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St.

More info: Facebook

6.) SHROVE TUESDAY AT THE PUB

The Pub at The Greene in Beavercreek will offer some special food and drink items for Shrove Tuesday while supplies last. Special menu items include: Crepes with Baileys filling, Crab Cakes, Jambalaya and Beignets. Drinks include Abita’s famous Mardi Gras beer on draft, as well as a Queens Mimosa and Hurricane Cocktail.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: The Pub at The Greene, 39 Greene Blvd., Beavercreek

More info: Facebook

7.) FAT TUESDAY FOOD AND BEER PAIRING AT DEVIL WIND

Devil Wind Brewing in Xenia will offer a four-course appetizer and beer pairing with a Mardi Gras theme. Get four 5-ounce pours of Devil Wind beer paired with food from One Bistro Catering: Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, red beans and rice, gumbo and a sweet treat! Limited space. Advance tickets are required for this special pairing event and can be purchased online or at the brewery.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Devil Wind Brewing, 130 S. Detroit St., Xenia

More info: Facebook

8.) MANCAVE MARDI GRAS AT HEATHERS

Heathers Coffee and Cafe in Springboro will have a Fat Tuesday party with drink specials and red beans and rice and gumbo.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 6-11 p.m.

Where: Heathers Coffee and Cafe, 505 S. Main St., Springboro

More info: Facebook

9.) FASCHING

Celebrate Mardi Gras, German style, with some help from the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club. It's a masquerade, so dress for the occasion for the theme Heroes and Villans. There will be prizes in several categories! Music by Corky's Old Time Rock and Roll Band. There will be a free hot dog bar. Guests are asked to bring a snack to share. There will be drink specials, full bar and German draft bier and soft pretzels. Admission is $5 at the door, and members, military and kids get in for free.

When: Saturday, March 2, from 7:11-11:11 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Cost: $5 (members, military and kids are free)

More info: Facebook

10.) ROWDY GRAS

This is one of the Alumni Association's most popular events — Rowdy Gras. The Rowdy Gras is a New Orleans-style casino night with appetizers includes jambalaya, crab cakes and king cake. Each attendee will be given $25,000 in poker chips and at the end of the night, you will cash your winnings in for raffle tickets for a chance at prizes.

There will be a Blackjack Tournament for a prize of a Caribbean Cruise for two worth $1,000.

When: Saturday, March 2, 7-11 p.m

Where: Apollo Room in the Student Union, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn

Cost: $30. Get tickets at http://bit.ly/RowdyGras19

More info: Facebook

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