Motown will get a taste of The Big Easy, when Detroit gets a Marci Gras celebration of its own. Despite the cold expected on Feb. 6, the Mardi Gras en Rouge, a costume gala complete with New Orleans brass band and a parade of local spirit, is sure to add some Cajun spice.

The Mardi Gras celebration will help raise money or Detroit’s own celebration of French origins, the Marche du Nain Rouge parade as well as Gabriel Hall, a restaurant and music venue planned for West Village. It will open in an old three-story house with a ground floor storefront located at the intersection of Kercheval and Van Dyke.

The celebration will be held at Constant Velocity (formerly called Eight & Sand, next to the Fowling Warehouse).

“This is not only going to be a good time, it’s going to help us raise necessary funds so we can get Gabriel Hall’s doors open and share our music and culture with the city,” says Dameon Gabriel, leader of the Gabriel Hall Brass Band and co-founder of Gabriel Hall.

Gabriel initially pitched the concept during the 2014 Hatch Detroit contest and was a finalist.

“A Mardi Gras party – the music, the masks, the spectacle – is a perfect way to usher in the Marche season,” says Marche organizer Francis Grunow. “The fundraiser will help us expand our community workshops and bring more Detroit neighborhoods into the parade.”

From 8:00 pm – 2:00 am on Feb. 6 the costumed masses with splashes of red and masks (both encouraged by the hosts) will gather. Those in attendance will be able get a preview of the authentic New Orleans cuisine that will be available at Gabriel Hall courtesy of the executive chef. The bar will also have drinks in lockstep with the Louisiana festive theme.

There will be hurricanes to drink and jambalaya to taste while you soak up the music of O N E F R E Q and Gabriel Brass Band. Also there to provide entertainment will be Lushes LaMoan, Caribbean Mardi Gras Productions, DJ Carleton Gholz and Comedian Emcee John Bell.

All tickets include admission and food. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. VIP is $100 and includes admission, food, two drink tickets, reserved seating, table service, a photo opp with the Nain Rouge, and Mardi Gras swag bag. Advance tickets are available at www.mardigrasenrouge.eventbrite.com

All proceeds will benefit Marche du Nain Rouge and Gabriel Hall. The 7th annual Marche du Nain Rouge takes place March 20.

The Gabriel Hall bar/restaurant is coming soon to West Village and will have live music that blends New Orleans and Detroit jazz. It also has a nonprofit branch that will do music outreach to local youths.

Find more at marchedunainrouge.com and https://www.facebook.com/gabrielhalldetroit & www.gabrielmusicsociety.org

A cold night in Detroit can still be heated up “by the bayou.”

  Caribbean Mardi Gras Productions, Constant Velocity, DJ Carleton Gholz, Gabriel Hall, John Bell, Lushes LaMoan, Marche du Nain Rouge, Mardi Gras en Rouge, Nain Rouge