Be There or Be Square
"I'm hip about time."
- Wyatt a.k.a. Captain America ("Easy Rider", 1969)
In "Easy Rider", Dennis Hopper's landmark counterculture flick, the Mardi Gras was depicted as THE event where it wasn't hip to be square. There was some truth to it.
Mardi Gras, celebrated in New Orleans during late winter, was no different from Brazil's Carnival celebrations. There were Caribbean and Spanish influences in both events, a culmination of weeks-long celebration that would end on Ash Wednesday. In fact, Fat Tuesday was its other name, which meant eating lots of fatty food. Fasting was observed during the Lenten season, but religion didn't drew people from different backgrounds. Everyone wanted to have fun, which the fest would provide. Students would appeal to this part of the celebration, but there was more, as this would allow them a chance to study New Orleans' storied past.
La Nouvelle-Orléans was founded by the French Mississippi Company in 1718, the place named for Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans, who was Regent of France at that time. Then the French colony was ceded to the Spanish Empire in the Treaty of Paris (1763). New Orleans remained under Spanish control until 1801, when it reverted to French control. Thereafter, the city grew rapidly with influxes of Africans, Americans, Creoles, and French. Later immigrants were Germans, Irish, and Italians.
In "Interview with the Vampire", Anne Rice described the French and Spanish Creole architecture that would define New Orleans. Abodes of this kind would be the lair for her folkloric beings, grappling with issues of existentialism, and at the same time, struggling with loneliness. They were aware of their cross-cultural, multilingual heritage, which prompted them to travel to Europe, to explore - and indulge - on the pleasures of the Old World. This would give the city an air of privilege, which inhabitants back then would practice during the festivities. Ritzy balls were held, the highlight of which was the presentation of Mardi Gras King and Queen. Only the crème de la crème took part, an exclusive gathering that would come to a halt a few decades later. On the other end, the African-American community have their own way of celebrating; Zulu, a parade named after an African tribe, was limited to back streets in black neighborhoods. Nowadays, it would be one of the popular segments (of the festival) that residents and tourists look forward to. New Orleans became a melting pot.
Purchasing a King Cake shouldn't be forgotten, as this was part of New Orleans' food culture. It was sold only during the Carnival season, covered with colors that correspond to Mardi Gras. Socked away inside (the cake) was a tiny plastic baby, and whoever discovered the tyke would be required to host the next party. Don't be surprised to see some revelers overindulging in alcohol, reminiscent of Wyatt, Billy, and George Hanson, the iconic characters of "Easy Rider". After all, the Mardi Gras only required its participants to think about the moment, be uninhibited as much as possible. In an inebriated state, this couldn't get any better. But never the forget the past, which New Orleans have lots to offer. This would make your Mardi Gras experience special.
