Show Mardi March Gras magic visits South City Adam Haver Contributing Writer Friday night hours before the music and dancing began more than a dozen members of the International Club and others began their work Masks and artwork decorated the walls colorful stars hung from the ceiling and an empty stage waited to be filled But there was much more behind all this decor and preparation waiting to be discovered Nancy Filial Fillat Director of International Student Services has worked with the festivities for years and expounded on what the activity is really about She noted how many people people people peo peo- have a negative view on Mardi Gras but that it is actually actually actually actu actu- ally much the opposite It is a great opportunity to bring people together to celebrate celebrate celebrate cel cel- cel- cel something that has been celebrated for centuries she stated Jessica a member of the International Club reported that the preparations began in the middle of last semester Mardi Gras Cont on Page 7 I Mardi Gras t. t Cant Cont from front We like to promote other cultures she said As far as history goes Mardi Gras is French meaning fat Tuesday and is the grand finale of a Christian European celebration Ash Wednesday is the first of follows and day Lent Dent a time where meat is forbidden forbidden for for- bidden In fact the celebration celebrationis is also known as Carnival which derives from the Latin phrase came carne vole literally meaning flesh farewell As Europeans began to settle around the world they brought this tradition to many locations In fact it is enjoyed in over 23 countries from Brazil Germany India and of course here in the United States Carnival or Mardi Gras may have religious meanings for some and for others is a great time to have a cultural party An array of walkers stilt-walkers not only walked but danced around the student center to the beat of New Orleans Brass Jazz to start off the night and get everyone excited They were followed by a Capoeira performance performance performance mance singing by Robertino Di Roma an Italian singer and anda a childrens children's parade Also included in the nights night's festivities festivities festivities ties was the Vertigo Fire Show Jinga Boa Pagode music and more more all all the way until mid mid- night One of the intriguing events of the night for many was the performance which originally came overseas from Africa to Brazil Slaves hid their abilities from oppressors by disguising it as a dance but often used it as a fighting tool to gain their freedom Another theme of the night was the Joker which is said to boast the official colors of Mardi Gras purple representing represent represent- ing justice green stan standing g for for faith and gold signifying power Yet another positive element that at Mardi Gras was the prices were inexpensive for foran foran foran an activity that lasted almost six hours Five dollars was the entry fee two dollars for children children chil chil- dren then and if attendees wore a free costume they were let in of wide variety f There was a costumes displayed at the event from children dressed as dogs women in Victorian clothes and even me men l' l dressed as t With food dance and a variety of c cultural performances the e night was well worth the entry entry fee and for many was a well- well priced date All in all it was a well pre pared cultural party that went long into the night The entertainment entertainment entertainment enter enter- just kept on coming and j the par par- L 1 pation sm re than the gi- gi u Pf n t r-m r ous yc year yeas f. f The International tem u 1 ft club Glut and other oilier hard workers involved deserve most of the credit for the nights night's success Along with all the decorations activities and people they brought in the magic of Mardi MardiGras MardiGras MardiGras Gras was felt by all |