A week from today it will be Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," falls on Feb. 27. In the liturgical calendar, it is usually known as Shrove Tuesday, and the day after is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent.
TroyAnn Poulopoulos, co-director of River's Edge Campus Ministries, where a campus celebration of Mardi Gras will be hosted, said Mardi Gras is a traditional celebration.
"It's the big blowout," Poulopoulos said. "Let it all hang out in the Christian church before the 40 days of Lent."
Lent is the 40-day period during which Christians prepare themselves and set aside time for repentance and spiritual renewal prior to Easter.
However, Mardi Gras is also a time of celebration.
Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, a Roman Catholic and Cajun whose father, Moon Landrieu, was mayor of New Orleans, has a unique perspective on Mardi Gras and its history.
"The French in New Orleans were having private masked balls and parties in 1718," Landrieu said. "When the Spanish government took over, parties and street dancing were banned. It wasn't until 1827, when Americans were in power, that the right to party in mask was restored. I love America,"
During the 1850s, the city's elite and their elegant Mardi Gras parties were quite a contrast to the wild partying and near-rioting in the streets. It was soon clear that all celebrations were in danger of another ban.
In 1857, a group of men formed a secret society called the Mystick Crewe of Comus. They knew that Mardi Gras could be preserved -- with planning, organization and management of the celebrations.
The Crewes have since evolved into organizations with a cross cultural and cross gender membership. They traditionally bear the names of Greek gods, which provides a theme for their parties. Each Crewe sponsors a ball, a float in the parade and has royalty.
The Crewe of Rex formed in 1872 -- principally to entertain the visiting Grand Duke Alexis Romanov of Russia.
Since America didn't have royalty to properly welcome the Grand Duke, the men in Rex created a king and queen for the day so the Grand Duke could be royally received.
"Legend has it that (the queen's) dress was so tight and buxom so large, that she literally burst through her garments," Landrieu said.
"The men at the party were already so intoxicated that they threw gold coins and jeweled necklaces at her feet. Mardi Gras has always been risque at times!"
This is how the tradition of masked parties, Crewes, the baring of breasts, the Mardi Gras Royal Court and throwing of coins and colorful necklaces came about.
Poulopoulos said some traditions will not be kept during the celebration here on campus.
"There will be no baring of anything, especially breasts," said Poulopoulos with a chuckle.
Tickets are $3 per person, or $5 per couple, if purchased in advance from one of the University of Memphis Crewes.
Crewes sponsoring this year's Mardi Gras include the Crewe of Canterbury, representing the Anglican/Episcopal student ministries, the Crewe of Delta, representing the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, The Crewe of Arnold, representing the Arnold Air Society, and the Crewe of Wesley, representing the Methodist and Presbyterian Student Ministries.
