Fat Tuesday in the Tri-Valley

Untangle those beads and snap on that mask: Mardi Gras is here. Tuesday is known as Fat Tuesday, and plenty of places in the Tri-Valley are gearing up to celebrate.

Here are our top picks for the Mardi Gras festivities taking place this week and beyond.

• What: Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Party
  Where and When: Underdog Wine Bar in Livermore on Tuesday from 6 – 9 p.m. Don a mask at this bar at Concannon Vineyard and enjoy the music of the New Orleans Jazz Trio and plenty of Cajun cuisine. Visit http://underdogwinemerchants.com/underdog-wine-bar for details.

• What:
  Where and When: Bourbon Street Deli Café in San Ramon on Tuesday
  Celebrate Fat Tuesday by enjoying New Orleans dishes at San Ramon’s newest restaurant. Find out more in our latest column.

• What: “Comics Gone Wild” Mardi Gras Comedy Show
  Where and When: Wild Vine Hideaway in Danville on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
  Comedian Kabir Kabeeezy will keep you laughing. Get the scoop on Wild Vine’s Facebook page.

• What: Mardi Gras Dinner
  Where and When: Pans on Fire in Pleasanton on Friday at 6 p.m.
  Learn some culinary tricks at this three-hour Mardi Gras event. Dine on New Orleans food including a creamy seafood bisque, Cajun shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, hush puppies and a traditional King Cake. Only a few seats are left. Sign up here.

• What:
  Where and When: Blackhawk Museum in Danville on March 18
  If you have any energy after your St. Patrick’s Day partying, celebrate Mardi Gras at the posh Blackhawk Museum with hurricane drink specials, free beads, costume contest, music, dancing and more. Get the details about this adult-only party .

• What:
  Where and When: Bankhead Theater on April 2 at 8 p.m.
  Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for BeauSoleil for some Cajun music and culture. The band blends New Orleans traditional jazz and Caribbean Calypso with Zydeco, Tex-Mex, western blues and swing. Get your tickets at www.livermoreperformingarts.org.

Looking for some out of town time? Celebrate Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore district in San Francisco at the Bourbon Street Mardi Gras. The celebration starts Tuesday at 5 p.m., and you’ll see stilt walkers, jugglers, face painters, dancers and other live entertainers. Area restaurants celebrate Mardi Gras with plenty of drink specials, Cajun cuisine and New Orleans jazz. Check out the event Facebook page for the schedule.