Orlando musicians Swamp Xistas throw Mardi Gras Mambo at Will’s Pub

Beth McKee and Her Funky Time Band Credit: Photo by Lee Peyton

Like Cinco de Mayo, most people’s idea of Mardi Gras is largely wrong. But Orlando’s Beth McKee — who’s got NOLA bona fides — and her crew will do it right.

This all-ages event will be a true community party with live music by Beth McKee & Her Funky Time Band, Swamp Xistas and Brackish Horns. But making the event at once authentically New Orleans, uniquely Orlando and legitimately wild will be party features like a second line-style chicken chase (featuring local cult hero Nadeem Khan as the Chicken Man), animal-puppet lip-sync karaoke (WTF?), Mardi Gras games and Cajun food.

Costumes are strongly encouraged and proceeds will benefit the community-minded nonprofit Swamp Sistas La La Foundation. Hoo boy, laissez les bons temps rouler for real, y’all!

6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Will’s Pub, willspub.org, $5-$20.

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This article appears in Feb. 11-17, 2026.

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