Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Celebrating Mardi Gras in California can be a challenge. The cold, wet February weather prohibits sexy, Brazilian Carnival attire. And Fat Tuesday being, well, a Tuesday, tends to discourage the workaday folks from really getting down. Luckily, Zydeco promoter Louisiana Sue has revamped the holiday for maximum convenience. Her 5th Annual Sacramento Mardi Gras Party is eight hours of Mardi Gras festivities in a warm, indoor location and during the weekend. So gather up beads, march in the costumed procession led by Chief Takawaka and the Gumbo Tribe, eat jambalaya and hot links, and dance, dance, dance Sunday from 1-9 p.m. The musical line-up includes Tom Rigney and Flambeau, the Zydeco Flames and Kenny Menard, the Cajun Crooner himself. Tickets are $12. The Sacramento Ballroom, 6009 Folsom Blvd. Call 962-6415 for more information.