With the trumpets and trombones blaring, and the drums beating, the Residents and Sisters rang in Mardi Gras in style with the help of the St. Johns Jesuit High School Jazz Band.
The young performers in the St. John’s Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Xavier Smith, played a medley of New Orleans Jazz favorites for the listening pleasure of the Residents, Sisters and staff of the Home. With the bright brass and wind sections leading the way, accompanied by the downbeat of the percussions and time measured strumming of the upright bass, these young performers brought a lively mix of songs to our Mardi Gras celebration. Our own Advisory Board chairman Mike Scott’s daughter, Maria, sang with the band and got the party started.
Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday; in English the day is sometimes referred to as Shrove Tuesday, from the word shrive, meaning “confess.” It is a period of some limited excesses before the Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday and runs until Holy Thursday, before Easter.
This year’s Mardi Gras Party at the Home was filled with a variety of tempting foods, punch bowls filled with fruity mixtures, and delightful deserts of many different varieties. Our activities director, Rosanne Kalinowski, made her famous pancakes with real fruit toppings, and many a powered sugar Paczki were served. The Residents truly enjoyed the music and food served for their pleasure. The young performers brought a lot of fun filled smiles to the Residents, who tapped, danced and sang along to the high spirited tunes performed!
