The Bacolod public plaza will turn into the site of a carnival celebration as the Nights of Mardi Gras kick off at 8:30 tonight with 50 dancers wearing fantasy costumes and masks, accompanied by live drumbeats.

The carnival dancers will convert the San Juan, Gonzaga and Gatuslao sides of the plaza into one big street party, Rudy Reveche, chair of special events and streetdance committees of the MassKara Festival, said.

In partnership with ABS-CBN and MOR 101.5, the Nights of Mardi Gras will run for three nights—Oct. 9, 10, and 11.The contest is open to everyone and has no age limit.

Competing tonight are 50 elaborately dressed dancers with character make-up or face paint. They will be trimmed down to 30 for the second performance night on Wednesday, and will again be trimmed down to 20 for the third and final night on Thursday where the Top 10 winners will be named.

The 50 participants on the first night will receive P500 each, while the next 30 qualifiers on the second night will also get P500 each. The champion will receive P15,000 in cash; first runner-up—P10,000; second runner-up—P5,000, while the remaining Top 7 winners will receive P1,000 each.

Registration for 50 slots is ongoing at MOR 101.5 station on a first-come, first served basis. Interested applicants may call MOR 101.5 at 4342358.

Last year, the Nights of Mardi Gras featured live music performances from different barangays participating in the streetdance competitions.

The public had a chance to hear the MassKara live rhythm used in the streetdance prior to the competition. *

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