Gumbo Ya Ya - Mardi Gras in The District returns on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, 2015. This unique two-night festival brings the atmosphere of New Orleans to downtown Rock Island. New Orleans style jazz, Creole, zydeco, and funk music will thrill your ears, while Louisiana style food will electrify your taste buds!
Gumbo Ya Ya, one of The District's signature events, is held on the Great River Plaza, on 2nd Avenue between 17th and 19th Streets, in downtown Rock Island, IL. Admission prices are $9 for a one-night ticket and $14 for a two-night ticket, and children 12 and under are free. Gumbo Ya Ya starts at 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
With more food vendors selling Louisiana style food than ever before, you are sure to find something delicious to satisfy your craving at Gumbo Ya Ya. Of course there will be plenty of gumbo! Other Louisiana entrees include; fried alligator, frog legs, crabcakes, beignets, muffalettas, Cajun shrimp skewers, red beans & rice, low country boil, oyster po' boys, and much more! We also have plenty of options for those who are not looking for Cajun food including; fried chicken, gyros, shiskabobs, chicken wraps, taco salads, and much more! The food selection will wow the attendees this year!
A variety of craft and merchandise vendors will give the feel of the "French Quarter Marketplace". Handmade, jewelry, ethnic clothing, incense, novelty items, are just a few of the products that will be sold. Official Gumbo Ya Ya t-shirts will be on sale for $15; along with Mardi Gras beads, and masks!
The band line up for Gumbo Ya Ya features an incredible variety of musicians, three of which will be traveling all the way from Louisiana. While a Mardi Gras party is not a Mardi Gras party without Zydeco, Gumbo Ya Ya will have a mix of musical performances including: Zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans Jazz, and funk.
If you ever been to Mardi Gras you will know that seeing the Mardi Gras Indians is a rare treat. Cha Wa is a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians band on the rise. In May they performed at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fesitval, and on Saturday night of Gumbo Ya Ya they will give the festival a performance like it has never seen before. Cha Wa has been described as "funk with feathers", and they are sure to make you get up and dance! Cha Wa, meaning "We're coming for ya!" is a slang phrase used by every Mardi Gras Indian tribe. If you're lucky enough to find yourself on the corner of Second and Dryades on Mardi Gras Day, you will hear "Cha Wa" chanted in celebration throughout the streets. Make sure to put on your dancing shoes for Cha Wa! Mardi Gras Indians' history dates back to 1885 in Crescent City. More details about the culture of Mardi Gras Indians can be found in the HBO series "Treme".
