The Vie Side: Mardi Gras Happenings

FRIDAY / Grease lightening: Until today, I would have thought greasing of the poles was something you do to play pranks on strippers. It does happen on Bourbon Street but it is, in fact, to deter eager partiers from climbing supportive columns to Bourbon balconies. This is the 43^rd Annual Celebration, so people have apparently been shimmying up for a while. In what any other city would be a utilitarian, under-the-radar event, in New Orleans, it is a competition, a concert, and an excuse to drink at 10 AM. But let’s face it, Mardi Gras is the only excuse you’ll ever need.

SATURDAY / Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run: Keeping up a work out routine during Mardi Gras is pretty impossible. This year, it should be a little easier to keep that New Years resolution with the 5K Color Run. This Saturday at City Park, wear your white t shirt and be prepared to be bombarded with Mardi Gras colors. Not only is it a fun way to get a work out in, but you won’t need a costume for that day—being covered head to toe in Carnival colors is enough.

SATURDAY / King of Cakes: Come Ash Wednesday, eating king cake for breakfast every morning—and then again for lunch and dinner—is frowned upon. Get it while you can this Friday at the Fifth Annual Nola Eats King Cake Tasting Party at Little Gem Salon. There will be king cakes for sampling from the city’s favorite bakeries as well as a bar and clean bathrooms just blocks from the parade route.

Anna Shults is associate editor of NolaVie.