Over the River and through the Woods
by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Allen Rowlen

SHOW DATES: Jan 26-Feb 5, 2023

COMEDY: Nick Cristano may be living the life of a young professional in NYC, but his loving grandparents never let him forget where he belongs: in the bosom of his tenacious, tender-hearted, loud, loving, and well-fed Italian-American grandparents. When he is offered an important promotion in Seattle, his family cooks up a matchmaking scheme to keep him in New Jersey. Over the River and Through the Woods is a warm-hearted, boisterously funny, and touching story about intergenerational relationships, deep familial love, and the inevitable little heartbreaks that occur as time passes and children grow.

Show dates:
Thursday, Jan 26 – 7:30pm
Friday, Jan 27 – 7:30pm
Saturday, Jan 28 – 7:30pm
Sunday, Jan 29 – 2:30pm

Thursday, Feb 2 – 7:30pm
Friday, Feb 3 – 7:30pm
Saturday, Feb 4 – 7:30pm
Sunday, Feb 5 – 2:30pm

Tickets:
Thursday SPECIAL : $5
General : $15
Senior (>60) & Military : $12
Students : $7

Tickets available now at cpptheatre.com– click on the “BUY TICKETS” link
Tickets available in the box office before each show; Doors open 30 minutes before each show

For more information, please contact us at: cityparkplayers@gmail.com

Location: Kress Theatre

Website: http:/www./cpptheatre.com

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You may be familiar with the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras, but have you ever danced

for a chicken at a Cajun Country Courir de Mardi Gras?

 

What Happens During Cajun Mardi Gras?

Traditionally known as Courir de Mardi Gras, festivities occur in towns throughout Central Louisiana, known as Cajun Country or Acadiana. Rooted in French medieval history and brought to Louisiana in the 19th century, Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. It's commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras."

Begging for Gumbo Ingredients

The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras. The capitaine organizes the group, explains the rules and keeps rowdy participants in check with a traditional burlap whip. Costumed and masked participants on horseback, on foot or in trailers make their way through the neighborhood performing another ancient ritual: begging. Revelers go from house to house singing and dancing in order to gather different ingredients for a communal gumbo, like flour, rice and spices. The last ingredient — and the highlight of the entire celebration — is the chicken.

Chasing of the Chicken

All attention is on the chicken, so it's a thrill to watch costumed revelers chase after it. It’s the highlight of the communal gumbo, after all.

 

In addition to the run, you'll see colorful costumes, hear traditional Mardi Gras songs and taste authentic Cajun cooking. Each town’s Courir de Mardi Gras is special. In rural towns and communities like Mamou, Iota, Elton, Church Point, Faquetaigue and Soileau, you’ll find food and events more Cajun than the names of the towns. In Church Point, a children’s run is held a few days before the traditional Fat Tuesday ride. In Tee-Mamou, the capitaine raises a flag to let Mardi Gras runners know to dismount their trucks and approach the house, chanting a traditional begging song called Le chanson de Mardi Gras. This community hosts an all-female run on the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

Food and Family Fun

In Eunice, the Mardi Gras season is a week full of events. The family-friendly fun begins with music, crafts and an old-time boucherie (hog butchering) where you can eat just about every Cajun dish your heart desires, from boudin and cracklins to backbone stew. On Mardi Gras day, join the fun downtown while the Courir de Mardi Gras collects the ingredient list for the gumbo. Later that day, cut loose at a fais do-do (a Cajun dance party) at Lakeview Park and Beach.

 

Church Point holds a male-only Courir de Mardi Gras organized by the historic Saddle Tramp Riders Club. The weekend festivities begin with a children’s Mardi Gras Run and children’s parade, followed by the adult Courir and Main Street Parade. Chase the chickens and catch a greased pig while enjoying traditional gumbo, boudin and more.

Other Things to Do in Cajun Country

While you’re here, explore a little more of this culturally rich area. A Mardi Gras celebration simply isn’t complete without libations. We suggest visiting Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville. Their craft brews and house-prepared pizzas perfectly complement each other. Chill in the family-friendly outdoor patio space and enjoy live entertainment, trivia and other fun events.   

 

And speaking of food, visit Bourque’s Supermarket in Port Barre and try the bakery’s twist on the Mardi Gras treat we all know and love — king cake! Bourque's offers king cakes in a variety of flavors, but the Boudin king cake is the epitome of Cajun Country.

Brush up on all things Cajun before your trip! Get a crash course in Cajun vocabulary.

 

Location: Various

Website: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/cajun-mardi-gras

5:00PM

 

 

Location: Downtown Alexandria