An upcoming Mardi Gras event, hosted by the Student Leadership Association (SLA), will be a cultural exploration for everyone, said Mi’esha Russel, student event coordinator with SLA.
On Tuesday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SLA will offer a variety of Mardi Gras activities in the stage area of Building 8.
During the event, a slide show will be presented about the history of New Orleans, of beaded necklaces and of the king cake tradition, she said.
One of the games planned is similar to musical chairs but based on the king cake tradition, said Russell. According to this tradition, a cake is left on a random doorstep by revelers, she said. If a young lady at that house found the golden bean in her cake, she was considered the queen of Mardi Gras for that year. This tradition is still practiced today, Russell said.
The cake walk game will have participants walk around chairs with a number on each one while Mardi Gras-style music is played. When the music stops and the participants sit, a number will randomly be drawn. The winner will be given a cake. However, Russell said that winners wouldn’t find a golden bean in their cake. Participants will have a chance to take part in one of the two rounds that will be played during the event.
Traditional musical chairs is also scheduled to be played, she said, adding that the same Mardi Gras music used for the cake walk game will be used for this game too.
Russell said that there is no specific time that these games will be played, but she plans on playing both every half hour.
The event is also considered a club day she said. Different clubs will have tables set up to inform students about prospective clubs on campus.
There will be a spinning wheel that can be played during the entire event that offers an opportunity to win prizes, such as the Mardi Gras beads, she said.
The colors for the beads of Mardi Gras, green, gold and purple, each mean something different, said Russell. Gold means power, purple means justice and green means faith.
There will also be an opportunity to make your own Mardi Gras themed mask and face painting, she said. This will be going on in the game room area in Building 8.
“Play with your creative side,” she said.
Russell said that even SLA staff members will be wearing masks. She said that she will wear a purple boa with her mask.
A backdrop with Mardi Gras scenes (people playing instruments and on balconies) will be available for participants to have their pictures taken, she said, adding that these pictures can be obtained by contacting her after the event.
Russell invites people to come get cultured and branch out by participating in the event.
“I want everyone to benefit by experiencing something new,” she said. “Just come and explore and dabble in the art of Mardi Gras.”
Those with questions or comments about the event can email Russell directly at miesha.russell@my.sinclair.edu.