Mardi Gras/Carnival, the biggest party on earth–all around earth–is just weeks away. So why is it I don’t have my bags packed or plane tickets yet? Because, sigh, I’m not traveling anywhere this party season. Unfortunately, the life of a freelance writer is driven by the ups and downs of one’s assignments. And right now my work card is quite full, for which I am quite thankful (as is my landlord). I may not be there in the flesh but that won’t stop me from traveling to a few of the wild worldwide celebrations virtually. Here’s a wish list of some of the par-tays I hope to experience in Mardi Gras future.
Top on my list is Rio de Janeiro, the Big Daddy of all the planet’s celebrations. Although the modern Brazilian Carnival dating back to the 1830s was similar to the celebrations in Europe, over time it has taken on a singular life of its own. Today, the event includes lavish balls, elaborate costumes, delicious food, colorful floats and a whole lotta samba and debauchery, drawing thousands upon thousands to Rio. But what truly sets this celebration apart are the blocos, community groups of costumed musicians and dancers (many with their own hard-core devotees), who crowd the streets, encouraging onlookers to follow suit. Of course, the highlight of Carnival is the crazy Samba School Parade event that takes place in the Sambadromo with 60,000 or so live revelers, the Sunday and Monday before Fat Tuesday. While millions tune in to the live broadcast, 14 top samba schools –comprised of costumed dancers, percussionists and performers atop otherworldly floats–compete for bragging rights for best show. For details go to www.rio.rj.gov.br/riotur/en.
Next up is New Orleans. God knows this city deserves some good times. In Louisiana, there’s an entire Carnival season (beginning on Twelfth Night) where parades and balls aplenty get the party started. And for the two weeks before Fat Tuesday, at least one major parade takes place every day. But the most grandiose and elaborate parades, and events and parties are reserved for the last five raucous-inducing, city-never-sleeps days of the season. The eye-catching floats filled with costumed and masked participants, organized by Carnival krewes elicit screams of delight and cheers from the crowds as float-riders toss (most famously) cheap beads and other goodies–from plastic toys and trinkets to the traditional doubloons, which are dollar-sized coins of wood or aluminum often embossed with the krewe name. The normally hopping French Quarter is on triple overdrive during Mardi Gras, as its streets are clogged with revelers of all shapes and sizes for the event’s duration. For details go to www.mardigrasday.com.
The other Carnival event I hope to attend some day is in Sydney, Australia. It may have started out as a local gay pride event, but the 30-year-old Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has come a long way, baby. And for good fun, seems like this one can’t be beat. In fact, Conde Nast recently named it one of the Top 10 most spectacular costume events in the world. A month-long calendar of colorful goings-on and activities include dance parties, a film festival, concerts, sports activities and family-friendly Fair Day. But the highlight of the saucy event, attended by hundreds of thousands of people, is the spectacular nighttime Mardi Gras Parade (reportedly the largest event of its kind) followed by the Grand Ball that doesn’t end until the next morning. For more details go to www.mardigras.org.au.
There are a lot more Carnival celebrations that I hope to experience some day– check out the full roundup of 2007 Mardi Gras & Carnival Celebrations. OK, gotta go–deadlines await.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
what is the best parade you need to see?
August 14th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
its amazing how this celebration is growing
September 4th, 2009 at 6:31 am
What can I add? This show is amazing.