Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras: Fun

The word carnival, another common name for the pre-Lenten festivities, also derives from this feasting tradition: in Medieval Latin, carnelevarium means to take away or remove meat, from the Latin carnem for meat. History.com

Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in many countries around the world—mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations—on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play host to some of the holiday’s most famous public festivities, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers every year. History.com

On Mardi Gras in 1827, a group of students donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, emulating the revelry they’d observed while visiting Paris. History.com

The Christian feasting period-turned-cultural phenomenon dates back thousands of years, and while New Orleans takes the cake for the most colorful and elaborate celebrations, the joyful extravaganza is enjoyed all over the globe. People

This fusion resulted in a hedonistic period of boozing, masquerading and dancing with a heavy dose of religion. CNN.com

According to historians, festivities resembling Mardi Gras go back thousands of years to ancient Roman festivals celebrating the harvest season. After Christianity arrived in Rome, old traditions were incorporated into the new faith and debauchery became a prelude to the Lenten season. CNN.com

In 1687, the minister Increase Mather, who believed that Christmas celebrations derived from the bacchanalian excesses of the Roman holiday Saturnalia, decried those consumed "in Revellings, in excess of wine, in mad mirth." Salon

“And this was the best,” one character thinks, “the best days of her life. After this there would be only committees and fetes and recounting anecdotes to her fidgeting grandchildren.” New York Times

Last week was the arrivals portion of the jamboree, and this week is as close to “eat, drink and be merry” as we were likely to get. Salon

After the concert, gala guests crossed Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles for a glitzy season-opening shindig, which paid tribute to the Golden State. Los Angeles Times

In Italy, tourists flock to Venice’s Carnevale, which dates back to the 13th century and is famous for its masquerade balls. History.com

Purple, green and gold are the official colors of Mardi Gras, so you can dress up in a fun ensemble that incorporates these colors. USA Today

Synonymous with Mardi Gras, New Orleans welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors annually to take part in the Carnival festivities — ranging from elaborate parades with decked-out floats to glitzy costumes with dazzling headdresses, feathers, and an excess of glitter. People

They dressed as Mister Crimson or the Lost Bride, or wore the grotesque, goggle-eyed mask of the Madman—all characters from the Komedie Brute. Six of Crows

When allowed, as in the concluding “Fiesta Flamenca,” the dancers revealed some appealingly ingenuous charm and spirit. New York Times

Hundreds of people filled the room; they stood along the walls or danced under a ceiling festooned with red and white crepe paper. Lupita Mañana

In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats, setting the tone for future public celebrations in the city. History.com

While many parades and parties take place during the celebration period, the Krewe du Vieux is the most anticipated as it's one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar founded in 1987, consisting of more than 40 themed-parade processions while showcasing some of the top brass and traditional jazz bands in New Orleans. People

One hundred thirty-five million people, an audience of unprecedented size, tuned in to watch the spectacle as it unfolded on live television. Hidden Figures

Gradually, the applause grew from very small to a thunderous standing ovation for the little girl who took her bows with tears in her eyes. Forged by Fire

Other lasting customs include throwing beads and other trinkets, wearing masks, decorating floats and eating King Cake. History.com

She was wearing an orange dress with silver sequins at the hem and gold sequins sprinkled around its gauzy sleeves. Raymie Nightingale

It was a cheap souvenir, the kind tourists bought along East Stave, but it had seemed to please her. Six of Crows

A cacophony of sounds wafts through the pavilion as four female vocalists each sing, whistle, hum and wail on video screens. New York Times

A long whoop and clamor with whistling and foot-stomping arose in the room. The Great Santini

Leroy’s band would play some jazz and the whole thing was going to turn into a party that would end up in Big Joe’s place. 145th Street: Short Stories

Over a recording career that spanned more than 50 years and three dozen albums, she championed innovative Brazilian songwriters and cross-fertilized Brazilian regional styles with international pop and rock. New York Times

I was totally ecstatic about being a part of something that I’d heard so many wonderful things about. The Freedom Writers Diary

His lips were often pressed together in a jocular grin, as if all the world were his to laugh at. Educated

His laughter was so infectious and jubilant, she couldn’t help but be taken in. The Serpent King

I wasn't sure if I actually said something funny, or if he just found Noodles and me asking for nice clothes so outrageous that laughter was the only possible response. When I Was the Greatest

While the drummers drummed and the dancers danced, hotel guests frolicked with their children in the water. The God of Small Things

The musicians began again, with a louder, rollicking tune, and the villagers cheered and turned to the waiting feast. Son

They just laughed and ran in a game that was partly tag, partly piggy-in-the-middle, and partly just a magnificent romp. Coraline

“This is the life,” he said after a vigorous slurp. Hattie Big Sky