Friday night February 16, saw the first annual Mardis Gras Party and Variety Show at Calvert Pines Senior Center in Prince Frederick.  Calvert Pines is a free senior community center open to all persons over the age of 50.  Some live there and many come to visit from their homes for meals and special events.  Friday night’s festivities were a fundraising activity sponsored by the Calvert Pines Senior Council to help finance the special programs provided by Calvert Pines.

A crowd of approximately 100 people enjoyed pulled Bar-b-que, hors d’ouvres, cakes and pastries before the entertainment began at 6pm.  The Calvert Brass Consortium kicked off the festivities by playing such traditional Mardis Gras favorites as “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”  The group is made up of talented volunteers that play their assorted brass instruments because they love the music.

While the consortium played, the audience was invited to come and dance with Dr. Jaunx (Jones) and the Bourbon Street Bones.  This is a puppet act put on by Calvert Pines employees.  Dr. Jaunx is a very large and articulated costume that dances about freely and even speaks!  Ed, his owner, built the puppet himself and actually began a business making appearances with Dr. Jaunx.  Now he brings him out for special occasions such as this one.  The bones were puppeteered by another volunteer, and bore a striking resemblance to an animated Grateful Dead album. 

Also on tap for the evening were the Calvert Pines Variety Players whose classic melodies showed the touch of experienced singers working together in harmony.  These volunteers meet weekly to practice tunes and give joy to their community.  Following them was another singing act, Ms. Clare O’Shea, a born “torch singer.”  KC Shnitker followed her mom and put on an original interpretive dance that showed both grace and humor.

The College of Southern Maryland Barbershop Quartet performed several numbers, with four volunteer members accounting for about 40 years combined experience singing the traditional close harmonies.  Ms. Sandy Marquess then put on a Cajun cooking demonstration that didn’t work out too well, but that might have been due to the wine!

Finally a group of pickers called the Baybillies put on an act reminiscent of Hee-Haw’s “Where Are You Tonight” complete with jokes and a sing-along.  The grand finale was an entrancing performance from Troupe “Hip”notic Middle Eastern Dancers.  Their Middle Eastern dance styles showed grace and style with a good understanding of audience interaction.

The parties of all ages had a great time with food laughter and dancing in addition to the entertainment.  It is sincerely hoped that this year’s success builds upon itself to increase every year.