Oakland
Doing the Mardi Gras Mambo on the Shores of Lake Merritt
by | Feb 21, 2024 11:08 am
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Dancers pose with a partygoer at Lake Chalet's Fat Tuesday party in Oakland.
Fat Tuesday Celebration
Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill
Oakland, CA
Feb. 13, 2024
I was sitting on the outdoor patio on Tuesday night, admiring the nighttime views of Lake Merritt, when a musician banging out a party beat on a snare drum came dancing down the stairs, followed by a scantily-clad dancer in a glittering suit and towering feathered headdress. She started cha-cha dancing down the main walkway, followed by another dancer in similar attire, then another. Nearby, a guy started to cheer at the spectacle, maybe a little too excitedly. “Calm down, calm down,” his friend reassured him. “Let’s pace ourselves.” Words of wisdom when it comes to celebrating Mardi Gras, whether in NOLA or in Oaktown.
Beads and party decorations at Lake Chalet's Fat Tuesday celebration in Oakland.
The dancers seemed to be a much-needed pick-me-up for the subdued mood at the beginning of the night. A partygoer thanked a hostess for putting on the event. “This is great that you’re doing this,” he said. “People are kind of depressed about the Super Bowl.” Just two days after seeing our own 49ers lose to Kansas City, people didn’t seem much in the mood for celebrating Fat Tuesday. They’d likely done all their partying last Friday and Saturday, followed by a bitter hangover from Sunday night’s loss.
Fat Tuesday, which traditionally has celebrated a mood of excess and “fattening up” on rich foods and good times before the Christian period of fasting during Lent, is also just another excuse for a party. New Orleans is known for celebrating this time of year to the hilt, with non-stop parties, parades, spontaneous live music, and plenty of imbibing. Here in Oakland, it’s not as all-consuming. There’s a parade, a few Mardi Gras-themed concerts and restaurant specials, and not too much more. The vibe hits different in the Big Easy, which always feels primed for spur-of-the-moment partying in the streets even on a random Tuesday, let alone Fat Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a party to be had in the Bay Area.
Dancers perform at Lake Chalet's Fat Tuesday celebration in Oakland.
It’s true that this year was noticeably affected by the football hangover. Still, Lake Chalet brought in all the elements to cheer people up. As soon as I arrived, the hostess placed a string of beads around my neck and smiled brightly. “Enjoy the party!” she told me as she led me to the lakeside area outdoors. DJs spun big-band NOLA party music, there were Hurricane and Sazerac drink specials on offer, and the crowd of hopeful partygoers dressed in light-up headgear, beads, and spangly outfits grew throughout the night. For some people, Mardi Gras is the Super Bowl of partying.
Once the drummer and dancers came out, the mood livened up noticeably. The dancers pulled up volunteers to dance with them. More people started to cheer and dance and drink up. And if you give people enough free beads, a conga line just might start up.
By the time the dance floor filled up, the party spirit was in full effect, and the sadness of the Super Bowl loss seemed all but forgotten. And who doesn’t appreciate some lovely lakeside views? It’s not quite the bayou, but if you try hard enough and your heart’s in it, it’s almost like you’re there.
