Letter to the Editor - March 9, 2017

A round of applause for DI’s first ‘Brouhaha’ Mardi Gras celebration!

Life on Daniel Island is pretty good, but on February 28, it got even better. I’m talking about the Brouhaha Marching Band Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration ending at Guggenheim Plaza.

Where to start? First and foremost, there were the kids, the wonderful young performers from Peace Love Hip Hop. Way to go kids! You practiced and you worked hard … and it showed! Boy did it show! I hope it was as much fun for you to perform as it was for us to watch. Well done; you rock!

Next you have to recognize all the folks who turned out. If you’re like me, you weren’t quite sure what to expect, but you came anyway. And like me, you were impressed!

Then there were the other performers: fire dancers (with batons and lighted hoops!); the adult band from Black Tie (who knew there was so much hidden talent on the island); and the V-Tones who set a perfect tone for the evening. Terrific all across the board!

Props also must go to the folks from Agave Cantina for allowing themselves to be at the epicenter of all the madness. I hope you were busy and that everything worked out to your satisfaction. Our dinner was delicious as usual.

And last, but certainly not least, there are the organizers who worked so hard to make this happen. The people from Black Tie Music Academy took the lead, but no doubt there were many other folks behind the scenes (you know who you are). Kudos - no, mega kudos - to all of you. It was great!

For those of you who don’t have young kids or grandkids on the island, you need to take a moment to appreciate Black Tie Music Academy and Peace Love Hip Hop. We are so very fortunate on Daniel Island to have such talented, dedicated people working with our young people, teaching them the value of hard work and practice, and inculcating into them a love of the performing arts. The work they do is truly transformational and deserves our respect, admiration, and thanks.

What a great evening! A family-friendly, fun, entertaining event in a beautiful outdoor setting - it was quintessential Daniel Island.

New Orleans has its Bourbon Street and Folly has its Folly Gras, but I’ll take the Brouhaha Marching Band Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration every time. Mark your calendars; Mardi Gras comes early next year (February 13th). Can’t wait.

Bill Bates

Daniel Island