Mardi Gras: The 300 Year Old French Creole Tradition
Mardi Gras is not only a day of celebration and feasting amongst the Illinois French, but also marks the end of the season known as “Carnival.” Usually associated with New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, this event is also a well known and cherished cultural treasure that has been practiced by Creoles in the Illinois country of “Upper Louisiana” for over three centuries. This exciting presentation will discuss the western European and Celtic nature of Mardi Gras, how it relates to other celebrations throughout the year, the Illinois French Creole songs performed, and the festivals still held in the Midwest.
Dennis Stroughmatt, born and raised in southeastern Illinois, is an authority on French Creole music and the culture of "Upper Louisiana," a.k.a Illinois and Missouri. First introduced to local French history as a teenager in Indiana, Dennis later moved to southeast Missouri and spent over three years studying and learning to speak Illinois French Creole, to play the fiddle, and to sing many of the traditional songs that have permeated the region for over three hundred years. He would also go on to live, work, and play music in the "Cajun country" of Louisiana and study in Quebec, thus completing the circle of French culture in North America.
Watch video of Dennis Stroughmatt performing "The Boyer Stomp."
