Mardi Gras Takes Over Amoeba Music

Amoeba Music didn’t let the fact that it's not in New Orleans stop it from celebrating Mardi Gras. Its annual “Fat Tuesday” gala transformed the independent music superstore into Hollywood’s own version of the bead-centric carnival.

Amoeba decked its halls in green, gold and purple. Beads were draped across album covers, streamers trickled down from the ceiling, and banners swung from above. As customers arrived, employees showered them with beads. Two staff members rose up on top of a crane and threw beads down to people passing by.

A DJ spun upbeat tunes while guests awaited the start of the parade. People danced along in the aisles, occasionally picking up an item to purchase. Cashiers dressed in colorful masks rang up employees and customers trickled in sporting their best Mardi Gras flair.

The Prize Wheel of Fate entertained customers who spun for a chance to win goodies such as an Amoeba tote bag, $3 off coupon, New Orleans T-shirt, “Live at Amoeba” limited edition poster, a dinner certificate or a “surprise prize.”

Proceeds from the wheel benefited Tipitina’s Foundation, an organization that supports the Louisiana music community and helps to preserve its unique musical culture. In addition to the prize wheel, a donation jar near the registers collected money to “help New Orleans and the Gulf Coast continue to rebuild.”

Around 4:30 p.m., the parade began to assemble. The “King of Mardi Gras” took his throne on the store’s second level and an announcement was made to “hail to the king.”

A plethora of party poppers went off, shooting confetti into the air and the festivities began. The king led the way, followed by an assortment of merry characters and the band of AmoebaTown Musicians who marched along to “When The Saints Go Marching In.”

After completing several victorious laps throughout the store, the gang hit the streets of Hollywood to entertain the masses. Traffic slowed and pedestrians halted at the sight of their local record store workers dressed in costumes and parading down the street. Firemen took a brief pause in repairing a leaky fire hydrant to enjoy Amoeba’s cast of colorful characters.

The parade included various floats, such as a Beatles Yellow Submarine-themed concoction, colorful costumes, flashy hats, instruments and noisemakers. One guy whirled around the store on a skateboard and another carried a giant blue creature on his shoulders. There were masks and tambourines, horns and drums, and beads by the masses.

As quickly as they came, the band dispersed, leaving behind a trail of confetti and random pieces of their costumes scattered about the store. Guests who stuck around were treated to a 6 p.m. performance by Vaud & The Villains, a 19-piece 1930s-style New Orleans orchestra and cabaret that took the Fat Tuesday celebration to the next level.

It wasn’t quite New Orleans, but those who attended Hollywood’s Amoeba Music Fat Tuesday celebration considered it the next best thing.

For a full calendar of upcoming events at Hollywood’s Amoeba Music, click here.