By Tess Carenbauer
With several Mardi Gras events in the Boston area and an annual Northeastern festivity scheduled for Tuesday, it’s time to break out the colorful beads, feathery masks and New Orleans cuisine.
Northeastern is scheduled to hold its annual Mardi Gras late night breakfast tomorrow at 10 p.m. The event will take place in the Stetson East dining hall and ends at midnight. It’s limited to Northeastern students, who can use their student ID to get in.
The festivity is a collaboration of Student Affairs and Dining Services catered by Chartwells, said Emily Donahue, director of student programming and communications.
There will be games ranging from a cereal-eating contest to a “whipping good time contest [where] contestants must find hidden candies inside whipped cream pies,” Donahue said.
The NU Pep Band and the New Orleans Hot Tamale Band will both perform.
The menu will consist of traditional Mardi Gras cuisine.
“Most of the pre-made food is ordered directly from companies in New Orleans,” Donahue said.
Items on the menu consist of gumbo, jambalaya, chicken creole and cornbread as well as beignets, New Orleans pralines, mini ‘eacute;clairs, king cake and cream puffs.
While the Northeastern Mardi Gras event is open to Northeastern students of all ages, there are other options for students 18 and older wishing to celebrate the holiday.
Bands School for Robots and Fiske ‘ Herrero will perform Tuesday night at Middle East Upstairs on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge to kick off what is called “Zombi Gras.”
Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the event costs $12. All proceeds go to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. Those who want to reserve a spot can call (617) 864-EAST.
Paradise Rock Club on Commonwealth Avenue is scheduled to hold a Fat Tuesday benefit concert.
Ryan Montbleau will perform with Sam Singer Band and Peter Prince and the Johnny Trauma Unit. Tickets cost $17 the day of the performance, or $15 if reservations are made.
In addition to events for students 18+, there will also be Mardi Gras events that may interest the 21 and older crowd.
Dick’s Last Resort at Quincy Market in Boston, will hold a 21-plus “Mardi Gras Madness.” Soul City is scheduled to perform.
There is no cover cost; customers only pay for food and drink. There is also no traditional Mardi Gras food. (Dick’s serves items like ribs and crab cakes.) However, they will serve special drinks for Mardi Gras.
Like Dick’s, there is no cover charge for The Beehive’s “Big Easy.” The Beehive is located on Tremont Street. This will be the restaurant’s first annual Mardi Gras celebration.
The bistro will serve Cajun-inspired food like oysters and etouffee. The Nat Simpkins/Henri Smith Band will play as patrons order special mixed drinks, like oyster shots. Waiters will give out beads, masks and coins, traditional Mardi Gras items.
Many Bostonians will spend Tuesday celebrating Mardi Gras. However, some Northeastern students said they plan on partaking in other events, especially since Mardi Gras falls on Super Tuesday.
“I’m fulfilling my civic duty; I’m voting,” said Jordan Akselrad, a senior industrial engineering student.
Akselrad, like several other Northeastern students, didn’t realize that Mardi Gras was approaching, or that the school had planned a Mardi Gras activity.
By holding Mardi Gras events, Northeastern and clubs like the Middle East Upstairs and Dick’s Last Resort may be just what students need to raise their awareness of Mardi Gras and continue a long-lasting tradition of good food, good music and good fun.
