Quaresima (Lent) marks the forty days of fasting and abstinence before Easter and the days leading up to this period of fasting is known around the world as Carnevale. Although Carnevale officially starts in January and lasts until Mercoledì delle Ceneri (Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent), the days before Lent are especially festive. In Italy, the celebration is most widely associated with Venezia (Venice).
Carnevale, which is known to many Americans as Mardi Gras, is based upon the name of the celebration of Shrove or "Fat" Tuesday (Martedi Grasso). Pancakes are a traditional Shrove Tuesday feast food. While today Roman Catholics are expected to do without meat on Fridays during Lent, and to do without something they particularly enjoy during the Lenten period, older church doctrine decreed that Catholics give up not only meat dishes but also eggs, milk, and even fats. Thus Shrove Tuesday became the last day until Easter that people could spoil themselves, and to use up the dairy products and fats in the home so they wouldn't go to waste pancakes became a traditional Shrove Tuesday feast.
Although Carnevale is first mentioned in documented sources in 1092 during the Dogate of Vitale Falier of La Repubblica della Serenissima (The Most Serene Republic of Venice), the history of Venetian carnival is thought to have originated from an annual celebration of Doge Vitale Michieli II's victory over Ulrich II of Treven, Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162. The first documented sources mentioning the use of masks in Venice can be found as far back as the 13th century. The document describes the practice of masked men throwing scented eggs at ladies and its subsequent prohibition by the council (Venetian Laws, 1268 May).
In 2011, Carnevale is celebrated in Venezia from February 26 through March 8. While few of us are lucky enough to attend the original, “official” event, the next best thing can be found, of course, at the Italian Club Dallas Clubhouse.
Although Carnevale is first mentioned in documented sources in 1092 during the Dogate of Vitale Falier of La Repubblica della Serenissima (The Most Serene Republic of Venice), the history of Venetian carnival is thought to have originated from an annual celebration of Doge Vitale Michieli II's victory over Ulrich II of Treven, Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162. The first documented sources mentioning the use of masks in Venice can be found as far back as the 13th century. The document describes the practice of masked men throwing scented eggs at ladies and its subsequent prohibition by the council (Venetian Laws, 1268 May).
In 2011, Carnevale is celebrated in Venezia from February 26 through March 8. While few of us are lucky enough to attend the original, “official” event, the next best thing can be found, of course, at the Italian Club Dallas Clubhouse.
On Saturday evening, February 26, 2011, the Italian Club will celebrate Carnevale along with its start in Venezia. Pancakes are nice, but we’re substituting a decadent 5-course Chef Tommaso special for our Carnevale celebration. We’re also including a magician, a face painter, a DJ, performances by our own I Colori AND I Piccoli Colori dance troupes as well as dancing and fine dining. Our cocktail hour begins at 6:00pm, I Piccoli Colori will perform at 7:10pm and dinner service will begin at 7:30pm so dust off your Carnevale masks and get ready to celebrate Italian style! Reservations are required and can be made here.
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