After enjoying a crepe or two last month Shakespeare decided
French culture was not all bad. Upon returning, Shakespeare thought a
tempest was brewing when in actuality he was hearing zydeco music for the first
time. The French club students learned about the religious and cultural
history of Mardi Gras as well as how people celebrate the holiday around
the world. Shakespeare was particularly fascinated by
this New World city known as New Orleans and all its jazzy
syncopations. Shakespeare could not help but feel at home as
he stood amongst the students constructing and wearing masks. He
thought it was the grandest masquerade he'd ever seen. Famished,
Shakespeare and the students also partook in the Mardi Gras tradition of eating
King Cake - a flaky circular cake covered in a sugary frosting with a plastic
baby hidden inside. The cake was covered in the traditional colors:
purple, green and gold. Tradition has it that whoever receives the baby
in his/her piece of cake is the king or queen of Mardi Gras and in turn
the host of next year's party. Shakespeare couldn't help but try the
crown out for himself before handing it over to our two queens of Mardi Gras
this year: Kaylee and Ramyia. Everyone had a bon temps!
