Mardi Gras

By Louise Irvine

Many of us will be celebrating Carnival and Mardi Gras virtually this year. The traditional parades are canceled in New Orleans on February 16. Undeterred, locals will be enjoying the festival in a new way. We can’t fly to Venice for Carnevale, but we can still revel in the story of this flirtatious festival of fun in the Carnival & Cabaret exhibition at WMODA. Visit us on Saturday, February 13 when we will be showcasing traditional Venetian masks by Balocoloc.

New Orleans residents sprang into action when the Mardi Gras parades and galas were canceled this year. Instead of floats, many Krewe artists are decorating homes and businesses across the city neighborhoods to create a leisurely Mardi Gras walking experience without the usual crowds. The “house floats” are being funded by individual patrons and crowdfunding initiatives. It looks as if the Mardi Gras celebrations will still be spectacular in New Orleans on February 16.

Here in Dania Beach, we will continue to have fun in our Carnival & Cabaret exhibition, which features several new additions, including Lladro’s spectacular Circus Time and a Court Jester inspired by Norman Rockwell. Visit us on Saturday, February 13 to experience the spirit of Mardi Gras with wearable glass masks by Chelsea Rousso and traditional carnival masks by Balocoloc of Venice.