Mardi Gras is a celebration of life that is rumored to have roots as far back as the Roman pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, though it is more commonly associated with Christian tradition. Some places celebrate Carnival for the entire period after the “Twelfth Night”, also known as Christmas, until Ash Wednesday; other areas only consider the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday to be the Carnival celebration. Mardi Gras is the culmination of this Carnival before the more somber occasion that Ash Wednesday represents.
This celebration is represented in extravagant costumes often fashioned out of colored feathers and capes. This tradition is not lost in Hathian, LA at Howler’s Blues Bar. The club was packed with revelers out to celebrate the end of Shrovetide and get their fill of joyful indulgences before the beginning of Lent.
The atmosphere was energetic and the music filled the building. In this place, it didn’t matter your orientation. All that mattered was that you have a good time. DJ Peri of WKRK spun the vinyl to make sure everyone got moving, and certainly the majority of the revelers were on the dance floor.
Women exposing their breasts during Mardi Gras in New Orleans has been documented since 1889, yet remarkably this practice was not observed at Howler’s tonight. It was simply a good time, and if you weren’t there, then you missed out. Maybe next time, you can choose more wisely.
