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Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest

Hybrid: attend virtually or in person

In celebration of Fat Tuesday (February 21, 2023), explore the history of Mardi Gras and a few of its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies!

Enjoy a short history of Mardi Gras, including the meaning behind its name, regional and global traditions, associated lawsuits, memes, and marketing. Explore movies that depict the famous New Orleans-based celebration, and learn why this annual raucous event has translated well to the silver screen since 1898! Compare pączki, a Fat Tuesday pastry common in Chicago and the Midwest, to New Orleans-style king cake, a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style dough stuffed with cream cheese, praline, or strawberry—and a plastic baby doll.

Kelli Marshall is a public speaker, tour guide, and educator who helps visitors and residents discover Chicago through film. Before starting Chicago Movie Tours, Kelli spent more than a decade as a professor of film and media studies. Now, Kelli takes her expertise and love of teaching beyond the traditional classroom and into real-world settings. She holds a Ph.D. in Humanities, an M.A. in English, and a B.A. in English, with minors in history and French.

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