Mardi Gras 2020

Texas' biggest Mardi Gras party krewes up exciting 2020 concert lineup

A lawsuit between squabbling islanders recently threatened what’s considered one of the largest and oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States, but in the end, the party will go on.

Mardi Gras Galveston returns for its 109th celebration February 14-25, with parades, beads, booze, and a stacked lineup of musical performers.

Texas rock bands Blue October and Bowling for Soup are among this year's headliners. Other entertainment highlights include La Leyenda and Bidi Bidi Banda, set to head a Latin-flavored Fiesta Gras celebration on February 16 that will feature two parades, a balcony party, and shopping and dining options.

Blue October will perform live at 6 pm on Saturday, February 15, in downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park on the Corona Stage during the kickoff weekend of Mardi Gras Galveston. Bowling for Soup will play at 10:30 pm on Friday, February 21, on the Corona Stage during the final weekend.

Serving as the grand marshal of the new Bumpin’ Bus Parade is Houston hip-hop legend and Galveston Island spokesperson Bun B on February 22. He'll make an appearance just before the biggest parade of them all, the Knights of Momus parade.

“This is by far our best band lineup of the last 10 years,” said Yaga’s Entertainment president Mike Dean, who is in his 10th year organizing the festival for the city of Galveston. “Concerts are part of what make the Mardi Gras experience different in Texas, and we are excited to bring in these great local bands and homegrown Texas talent.”

More than 25 concerts will take place during Galveston’s two-week event, alongside 23 parades, 20 official balcony parties (and many more unofficial ones), and several elegant balls. Daily admission to the Mardi Gras entertainment district includes access to all concerts, as well as entrance into the Electric Mardi Gras event on Friday and Saturday of both weekends, with numerous DJs and laser light shows.

According to a statement, Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. The 11-day event is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees; it's the largest celebration of its kind in Texas and the third largest in the nation.

Admission for all music-related events is $22 at the gate, with discounted prices available in advance online at www.mardigrasgalveston.com.

North Texas rock act Bowling for Soup will perform as a headliner on February 21.

Courtesy Mardi Gras! Galveston

North Texas rock act Bowling for Soup will perform as a headliner on February 21.

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RELIVE THE ALAMO

Taylor Sheridan takes on epic event in Texas history for next project

Yellowstone Season 5 premiere, Taylor Sheridan

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images for Paramount

Taylor Sheridan is taking on one of the most epic events in Texas history.

North Texas producer, director, and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan — whose growing catalog of entertainment projects includes Yellowstone, Landman, Tulsa King, and the soon-to-be-released Frisco King — wants everyone to remember the Alamo.

At the invitation of Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sheridan will tell the story of the Battle of the Alamo for an immersive 4D movie to be shown at the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, which is set to open in 2028.

“The Alamo is the very bedrock Texas was founded upon. To chronicle the sacrifice made by the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the Alamo is an honor I eagerly accept,” Sheridan says in a news release issued by Patrick’s office.

Sheridan’s Battle of the Alamo project promises to be epic simply because the battle itself was epic.

The 13-day conflict in 1836 was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. In a one-sided defeat, the Mexican army prevailed, killing the roughly 200 Alamo defenders and one-third of the roughly 1,800 Mexican soldiers. Much of the mission was destroyed as well.

The sacrifice of Alamo defenders like James Bowie, Davy Crockett, and William Travis helped fuel the Texas resistance, leading to the “Remember the Alamo!” rallying cry and helping to pave the way for Texas independence.

Sheridan, who grew up in North Texas, lives at the 600-acre Bosque Ranch in Weatherford. Sheridan has shot many of his TV shows in the Fort Worth area, such as Landman; Special Ops: Lioness; 1883; and The Madison. A new series, Frisco King, is filming in Fort Worth this spring.

Sheridan founded SGS Studios, which recently partnered on a new 450,000-square foot production campus at Fort Worth’s 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development.

"Over the last decade, Taylor has told the story of the American West — the people, the land, the depth, and the history — in a way no other filmmaker has,” Patrick said. “In addition to his amazing film portfolio, Taylor is a native Texan who knows and loves our state and its history.”

Sheridan’s re-creation of the Battle of the Alamo will be a key attraction for visitors to the $185 million Alamo Visitor Center and Museum. Nearly 160,000 square feet will be taken up by the 4D theater and more than 5,000 artifacts, including over 400 from the Phil Collins Texana Collection.

Today, the Alamo draws more than 1.6 million visitors a year, making it the state’s No. 1 tourist attraction.

Over the years, the Alamo has been the star of several films and TV shows. Most notably, John Wayne portrayed Davy Crockett in the 1960 movie The Alamo. A 2004 reboot of the same name featured Billy Bob Thornton as Crockett and Dennis Quaid as Sam Houston.

Other projects paying tribute to the Alamo include The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory, a 1987 TV movie, and Alamo: The Price of Freedom, a 1988 documentary-style IMAX film.

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