Oh, right. It's Mardi Gras...

Got shiny metallic beads? It's Mardi Gras, a time for good music, food, and occasional nudity. From Belgium to Brazil, countries around the world are celebrating the week of Carnival. In the UK, today is called "Pancake Day" and there is an obscene amount of crepe-like pancakes (with Nutella of course) being consumed in the spirit of what we call "Mardi Gras." In Venice, Italy, Carnival (Italian version of Mardi Gras) is an occasion for Venetians and tourists alike to wear beautiful masks. Thus, it is extremely relevant that the Forum will be hosting a Masquerade Ball at CMC this Saturday. So go buy sequins and feathers...it's Mardi Gras there is a party this weekend!

America will be celebrating tonight...and not just in New Orleans. Attention CMC: Collins dining hall is representing southern style tonight. The dinner menu includes vegetable jambalaya, sausage gumbo, and "Po Boy" shrimp sandwiches...and if they are as bold as last year, I think I remember alligator being served (for all of our adventurous readers out there). In French, Mardi Gras means "fat Tuesday," and let's be real, it's an aptly named holiday...at least I plan on eating a lot.

Fun Fact: Bob Dylan's 1965 hit "Mr. Tambourine Man" is about Mardi Gras.