Are you going to visit Orlando February, March or April? If so then you may be lucky enough to be able to visit Universal Studios and celebrate Mardi Gras. This amazing event is the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. The streets of Universal Studios, Orlando are where it takes place, with breathtaking parades, which include colourful floats and spectacularly costumed characters, as well as a series of live concerts with some great performers. Of course there is cuisine with a New Orleans flavour, and entry is included in your regular park ticket.
Mardi Gras, or ‘Fat Tuesday, ’ is the day before Lent begins. It is a festival which dates back over 5, 000 years, but it first came to America with the French explorer, Ibersville, in 1699. The first official parades began in 1838. The New Orleans Mardi Gras has a theme each year, and floats are organised by big private social groups. It takes place on the last day of Carnival, which begins on January 6th, and the official colours of Carnival are purple, gold, and green. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, Orlando is usually a more family friendly event than the one which takes place in New Orleans.
There are usually festive street decorations and street performers and stilt walkers. It is great fun.
This year the theme is ‘Let the Music Move You, ’and there will be a series of concerts taking place during February, March and April.
This year there are some great performers:
February 12th
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons
First to perform will be Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Wow! Does that take me back to my teenage years – with his amazing falsetto voice, who cannot remember such songs as ‘Sherry, ’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry, ’ ‘Walk Like a Man, ’ ‘Rag Doll, ’Oh What a Night, ’ and ‘Can’t Take My Eyes of You. ’ Brilliant!
February 19th
The B-52s
This American rock band were formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. Comprising two boys and two girls this rock and roll group had many hits. In 1994 they appeared in ‘The Flintstones’ movie, singing the title song.
February 20th
KC and the Sunshine Band
This American musical group was founded in Miami in 1973. Their style included disco, funk and R and B, and many of you will remember such songs as ‘Shake Your Booty, ’ and ‘Thats the Way (I Like It).
February 26th
Pitt Bull
No, its nothing to do with dogs, its the American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer , Armando Christian Perez, who is probably better known as Ptitbull.
Mardi Gras, or ‘Fat Tuesday, ’ is the day before Lent begins. It is a festival which dates back over 5, 000 years, but it first came to America with the French explorer, Ibersville, in 1699. The first official parades began in 1838. The New Orleans Mardi Gras has a theme each year, and floats are organised by big private social groups. It takes place on the last day of Carnival, which begins on January 6th, and the official colours of Carnival are purple, gold, and green. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, Orlando is usually a more family friendly event than the one which takes place in New Orleans.
There are usually festive street decorations and street performers and stilt walkers. It is great fun.
This year the theme is ‘Let the Music Move You, ’and there will be a series of concerts taking place during February, March and April.
This year there are some great performers:
February 12th
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons
First to perform will be Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Wow! Does that take me back to my teenage years – with his amazing falsetto voice, who cannot remember such songs as ‘Sherry, ’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry, ’ ‘Walk Like a Man, ’ ‘Rag Doll, ’Oh What a Night, ’ and ‘Can’t Take My Eyes of You. ’ Brilliant!
February 19th
The B-52s
This American rock band were formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. Comprising two boys and two girls this rock and roll group had many hits. In 1994 they appeared in ‘The Flintstones’ movie, singing the title song.
February 20th
KC and the Sunshine Band
This American musical group was founded in Miami in 1973. Their style included disco, funk and R and B, and many of you will remember such songs as ‘Shake Your Booty, ’ and ‘Thats the Way (I Like It).
February 26th
Pitt Bull
No, its nothing to do with dogs, its the American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer , Armando Christian Perez, who is probably better known as Ptitbull.