Concerts

Beads, beads, who wants some beads? Mardi Gras Celebration

The greatest party in the world has spawned offspring which are migrating north to the Philadelphia area this year. We are, of course, talking about Mardi Gras! The Tidewater Brass Band takes a turn at early jazz classics, first in the concert hall of the Wilmington Music School, then parade style around the first floor. This Mardi Gras Celebration takes place Sunday,, February 15, 2009, at 3 PM.

You recollect what Mardi Gras is all about, right? The literal translation of the term is Fat Tuesday but Mardi Gras is usually meant to include all the activities leading up to the big day. And what a day it is, especially in cities like New Orleans, Rio De Janeiro, and even Mobile, Alabama.

Click here to read how it’s celebrated around the world. Here’s how it got started in the U.S.

Unrecognizable from the all out party that designates it today, Mardi Gras arrived in the United States as a sedate French Catholic tradition in the late 17th century when King Louis XIV sent the Le Moyne brothers to defend France’s claim on the territory of “Louisiane” in the New World.

The expedition arrived and settled a spot on the bank of the Mississippi River about 60 miles from present day New Orleans on March 3 1699. In honor of the holiday they named it Mardi Gras Point. By 1703, the Mardi Gras celebration had become a tradition observed by these French settlers.

The rest, as they say, it history. Keep your shirt on. Take your shirt off. It’s all good, though I’m sure the fine folks at the Wilmington Music School would prefer you keep yours on during their performance. This ain’t New Orleans, people.

Look for the mask and bead making workshop and a few other Mardi Gras surprises. The Wilmington School of Music is located at 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. Learn more about the school here.

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