E to Gras! Mardi Gras Brunch

› Where: Walden Club, 633 Chestnut St.

› When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23

› Admission: $60 per person, reservations required by Thursday, Feb. 20

› For more information: 423-305-7141

If there is anything Purple Lady Sonia Young loves as much as the color purple, it’s animals.

This is the fifth Mardi Gras brunch she has hosted to benefit McKamey Animal Center. This brunch is known for its delicious New Orleans-inspired dishes, prepared this year by chef Jeff Walker.

The menu will include such delights as chicken and andouille gumbo, Commander’s Palace salad with creamy black pepper dressing, Eggs Sardou, pecan-crusted Gulf fish over red beans and rice, New Orleans-style crab cakes with Creole remoulade, maple bourbon pain perdue, shrimp and grits, Ponchatoula strawberry shortcake and Bananas Foster flambe.

Mardi Gras at the Choo Choo

› Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.

› When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25

› Admission: Free; beer and food purchases additional

› For more information: https://www.eventbrite. com/

Just like you can’t visit Pat O’Brien’s Bar in New Orleans without drinking its signature Hurricane, you can’t leave Gate 11 Distillery on Tuesday night without sampling its version of the rum concoction.

Businesses Gate 11, American Draft and Ukko are partnering to host a Fat Tuesday celebration of food and drink in the Southside landmark. American Draft will serve Abita beers, Ukko is dishing up crawfish boil (while supplies last, so arrive early) and Gate 11 will have Sazeracs and Blue Bayou drinks in addition to Hurricanes.

Creole Pop-Up and Mardi Gras

› Where: Wanderlinger Brewing Co., 1208 King St.

› When: 5-11:30 Tuesday, Feb. 25

› Admission: Free; food sold

› For more information: 423-269-7979

Celebrate Fat Tuesday by dressing in your best Mardi party clothes to enjoy gumbo, etouffee and beignets sold by Freewill Flowers & Food beginning at 5 p.m. All food options will be served a la carte or as a platter over rice with a side of sourdough bread.

A best-dressed contest will be held with a gift-card prize. There will also be a king cake, and whoever finds the baby wins a $25 gift card.

Gino Fanelli and the Jalopy Brothers will entertain guests starting at 8 o’clock.

Mardi Gras Ball

› Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.

› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29

› Admission: $65 per person

› For more information: https://www.eventbrite. com/

This night of revelry is one of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s signature fundraisers to support the local chapter’s scholarship awards to high school seniors and other community philanthropic projects.

Guests will dance to Nu Breed Band and enjoy a buffet dinner.

ATE MARDI GRAS AKES, BEADS

AND BANDS