|
Mardi Gras FAQ
By Cheri Sicard
 What
is Mardi-Gras?
Mardi-Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday is the celebration leading up to
lent. Mardi Gras season officially begins on Twelfth Night, or the Feast
of the Epiphany, and concludes on Shrove Tuesday, just before Ash Wednesday
and the beginning of lent. Traditionally, it is a time of feasting and
celebrations before the onset of the upcoming sacrifices. In the old days,
and to many Catholics today, this mostly meant the eschewing of meat.
Hence Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday, which in years past was known as Boeuf
Gras.
Boeuf Gras? But doesn't Emeril
say Pork Fat Rules?
Superstar chef Emeril Lagasse may think "pork fat rules" but the Creole
ancestors who inspired his cuisine evidently thought higher of beef fat.
Mardi-Gras was originally known as Boeuf-Gras, in homage to the
last feast of meat before the culinary austerity of the Lenten season.
In other areas of the world, the celebration is known as Carnival, from
the Latin for "farewell to flesh."
From 1872-1901 a live ox graced New Orleans' Rex
Parade. Today, a papier mache symbol of Boeuf Gras takes its place.
Where did Mardi-Gras begin
in the U.S.?
Most people would answer New Orleans. Is that their final answer? Probably
yes? New Orleans, final answer, thanks for playing, sorry no million dollars!
The correct answer is Mobile, Alabama where Mardi-Gras
is still celebrated in grand style today -- there are thirty-five events
listed on Mobile's 2000 parade schedule. Visitors to Mobile can view dazzling
Mardi-Gras costumes as well as other Fat Tuesday historical memorabilia,
year round, at the Museum of Mobile located at 355 Government Street (334-208-7569).
 Where
else is Mardi-Gras celebrated in the U.S.?
New Orleans, of course, but you can also find parades and festivities
in most of the towns that dot the gulf coast in Louisiana, Mississippi
and Alabama. Families will especially find some the smaller celebrations
more appealing than the wild and crazy debauchery of The Big Easy.
What's so different about a
Mardi-Gras parade?
They're interactive and you get stuff. Masses of screeching parade enthusiasts,
arms outstretched like beggars clamoring for a last meal, beseech Krewe
members to throw barrels of trinkets -- colorful plastic beads and imprinted
aluminum doubloons. CAUTION: Mardi-Gras parades can cause temporary insanity
and people will do things for a worthless piece of plastic that defy reason.
So, be prepared to be somewhat aggressive if you want loot!
Oh, so you won't look like a tourist, the proper
Mardi-Gras parade cheer is "Throw me Something Mister!"
What is a King Cake?
A king cake is a traditional Mardi-Gras treat, brightly
decorated in the colors of Rex: purple, green and gold. The cake, which
is similar to a rich sweet bread or coffee cake contains a special surprise--
a tiny baby doll contained within one of the slices. Custom dictates that
the "lucky" recipient who gets the piece with the baby throws
the next Mardi-Gras party (or bakes the next King Cake).
King Cakes have become a Friday afternoon tradition for many offices
in the south.
Here
at Fab Foods, we not only have the traditional Mardi-Gras King Cake recipe,
I've even come up with a bread machine version. Follow this link for the
detailed, photographic instructions.
How does Mardi-Gras differ for
locals as opposed to tourists?
Mardi-Gras is actually the height of the Southern Social season. It is
accompanied by endless rounds of formal balls, proceeded over by elaborately
costumed courts. Each ball is sponsored by a "Krewe" which also foots
the bill for a parade or float in a larger parade, depending on the size
and budget of the krewe. The word "krewe" was supposedly chosen to give
an "Old English" feel the clubs.
 Can
I go to a ball?
Sorry Cinderella, Mardi-Gras balls are private affairs and by invitation
only. However, you could get lucky and meet someone in the krewe who might
just invite you. Your chances are increased significantly depending upon
your sex. Many balls follow the 5-1 ratio tradition. In other words, if
it's a men's krewe, each male member invites five women to the ball. The
reverse is true if it is a women's krewe. Those Southerners know how to
party! Also, keep in mind that, just like other Mardi-Gras events, there
are plenty of balls outside of New Orleans.
Formal events, the merriment is presided over by
the King, Queen and Court, all attired in elaborate, obscenely expensive
costumes. Each court member's gown has enough beads and jewels to outfit
an entire cast of Vegas showgirls, and possibly a drag show or two to
boot. Mardi-Gras, when you play at this level, is a mighty expensive proposition.
So extravagant is the spectacle of a ball, that each
member is also allowed to distribute a given number of "viewing passes."
The pass doesn't entitle the bearer to actually participate in the party,
but they are allowed the privilege watching it from the sidelines. That's
right, no cocktails, no dancing and (horror of horrors), none of the incredible
banquet that seems to stretch for miles! Nonetheless, if you have the
chance to view a ball, grab it. It is an unforgettable experience.
 What
is Mardi-Gras like in New Orleans?
It's a wild party for a month or more leading up to the big day. On the
day before Mardi-Gras or Lundi-Gras, the kings of the Krewes of Rex and
Zulu travel down the Mississippi River to New Orleans to prepare for the
celebration. For New Orleans society, the day ends just before midnight
at the Krewe of Comus ball and the "meeting of the courts." When
Rex and his Queen arrive, the orchestra will traditionally play his theme
song "If I Ever Cease to Love." Comus and Rex each escort each other's
queens around the ballroom floor, before being seated on their thrones.
At the stroke of midnight, Rex will wave the royal scepter and Mardi-Gras
is officially over.
For the common folks wallowing in the midst of the
French Quarter, the Witching Hour brings the official clearing of the
streets. Entire lines of mounted police slowly march down the center of
the narrow, litter strewn, French Quarter thoroughfares and clear the
crowd. The spectacle is as impressive as any parade and I highly recommend
finding a good sidewalk cafˇ, or even better, a balcony from which to
observe.
How about some great Mardi-Gras
party recipes?
|
What
is Mardi-Gras?
